Question

Give scientific reasons for the following statements:

Color blindness is more common in men than in women.

Answer 1

Cone cells and color vision:

1. Three types of cone cells can perceive the three-colors namely red, green, and blue.
2. For example, if a person does not have a particular type of cone cell, then he/she is not able to perceive that particular color.
3. So a deficiency in a particular type of cone cell leads to color blindness.

Males and color blindness:

1. Color blindness is an X-linked disease which means the gene that code for color blindness is present on the X chromosome.
2. Males have only one X chromosome, so if the defective gene is present in that one X chromosome, they will exhibit colorblindness.
3. While females have two X chromosomes which means they must have the defective gene in both X chromosomes to exhibit the disease.

Final answer: Color blindness is more common in men than women as it is an X-linked disease.