Question:

The horn development in sheep (horned sheep) is a suitable example of which of the following events?

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Remember: Sex-influenced traits are autosomal!
Hormones act as internal environmental factors that "influence" whether a gene acts as dominant or recessive.
Common examples include pattern baldness in humans and horns in sheep.
  • Sex limited trait
  • Sex influenced trait
  • Sex linked trait
  • Holandric trait
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify the genetic inheritance pattern governing horn development in sheep.
This trait is known to express differently in males and females even when they possess the same genotype.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


Definition of Sex-Influenced Traits: These are autosomal traits where the expression of the gene depends on the sex of the individual, often due to the influence of sex hormones like testosterone.

The Case of Sheep Horns: In many sheep breeds, the allele for horns ($H$) behaves as dominant in males but recessive in females.

Genotype-Phenotype Relationship:
• Genotype $HH$: Both males and females are horned.

• Genotype $hh$: Both males and females are hornless (polled).

• Genotype $Hh$: Males are horned, but females are hornless.

Comparison with other traits:
Sex-limited traits: Expressed in only one sex (e.g., milk production).

Sex-linked traits: Genes located on sex chromosomes (e.g., color blindness).

Holandric traits: Y-linked traits, passed only from father to son.
Final Answer:
Horn development in sheep is a classic example of a sex-influenced trait because the heterozygote genotype results in different phenotypes based on the individual's sex.
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