**Core Concept**
Color blindness, also known as color vision deficiency, is an inherited condition affecting the retina's ability to detect certain wavelengths of light, leading to impaired color perception. This condition is primarily caused by mutations in genes encoding the light-sensitive pigments, specifically the opsins, in the retina.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Color blindness is inherited in an X-linked pattern, meaning the genes responsible for color vision are located on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y chromosome. When a female inherits a mutated gene on one X chromosome, the unaffected gene on her second X chromosome can compensate for the deficiency. However, males with a mutated gene on their single X chromosome will express the condition, as they do not have a second X chromosome to compensate. This is why color blindness is more common in males.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because color blindness is not transmitted through the Y chromosome.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because color blindness is not caused by a deficiency in the rods, which are responsible for peripheral and night vision.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because color blindness is not caused by a deficiency in the cones, which are responsible for color vision, but rather a specific type of cone called the long-wavelength cone.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to remember that color blindness is not a single condition, but rather a group of conditions that affect color perception. The most common form of color blindness is red-green color blindness, which affects approximately 8% of males and 0.5% of females.

**Correct Answer: D.**