Pedigree

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What is a pedigree?

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A pedigree is a diagram that shows the occurrence and appearance of phenotypes of a particular gene or organism and its ancestors, often used to track genetic traits in families.

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How many generations are typically represented in a pedigree chart?

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A pedigree chart can represent multiple generations, often ranging from 3 to 5 generations, but can include more depending on the family history being studied.

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What does shading in a pedigree chart typically represent?

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Shading in a pedigree chart usually represents individuals who express a particular trait or phenotype, while unshaded individuals do not.

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What does it mean if a trait is controlled by a dominant allele?

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If a trait is controlled by a dominant allele, it means that only one copy of the allele is needed for the trait to be expressed in the phenotype.

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How can you determine if a trait is dominant or recessive from a pedigree?

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You can determine if a trait is dominant or recessive by analyzing the inheritance pattern in the pedigree; if the trait appears in every generation, it is likely dominant.

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What is the significance of carriers in a pedigree?

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Carriers are individuals who have one copy of a recessive allele for a trait but do not express the trait themselves; they can pass the allele to their offspring.

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How do you count the number of carriers in a pedigree?

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To count the number of carriers in a pedigree, identify individuals who do not express the trait but have affected offspring or parents.

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What is the relationship between phenotype and genotype?

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Phenotype refers to the observable characteristics or traits of an organism, while genotype refers to the genetic makeup or alleles that determine those traits.

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What does it mean if a trait skips a generation in a pedigree?

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If a trait skips a generation, it may indicate that the trait is recessive, meaning that two copies of the recessive allele are needed for the trait to be expressed.

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How can you identify affected individuals in a pedigree?

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Affected individuals in a pedigree are typically represented by shaded symbols, indicating that they express the trait being studied.