Sex-linked traits are different from autosomal traits mainly because of how they are passed down in families. This difference comes from their connection to sex chromosomes.

1. Where They Are Found:

   • Sex-linked traits are found on the X or Y chromosomes.
   • Autosomal traits are found on other chromosomes, which are not related to sex.

2. How They Are Inherited:

   • Sex-linked traits are inherited differently in boys and girls:
     • Boys (who have XY chromosomes) get their X-linked traits from their mothers.
     • Girls (who have XX chromosomes) get their X-linked traits from both their mothers and fathers.
   • For example, hemophilia is a disease linked to the X chromosome. It affects about 1 in 5,000 boys. Girls can be carriers of it, which means they can pass it on without having the disease, and this happens in about 1 in 1,000 girls.

3. How They Show Up:

   • Boys are more likely to show recessive traits because they only have one X chromosome.
   • For autosomal traits, there is generally a 50% chance of passing them on, no matter if the child is a boy or a girl.

In summary, sex-linked traits have special patterns of inheritance that can greatly impact how traits appear in children.