Pedigrees

Front

What is a pedigree chart?

Back

A pedigree chart is a diagram that shows the occurrence and appearance of phenotypes of a particular gene or organism and its ancestors across generations.

Front

How many generations can a pedigree chart display?

Back

A pedigree chart can display multiple generations, typically showing at least three generations.

Front

What does it mean for an individual to be heterozygous?

Back

An individual is heterozygous when they have two different alleles for a specific gene, one inherited from each parent.

Front

What is a carrier in genetics?

Back

A carrier is an individual who has one copy of a recessive allele that does not manifest in their phenotype but can be passed on to offspring.

Front

How can you determine the number of males and females in a pedigree chart?

Back

In a pedigree chart, males are typically represented by squares and females by circles. Counting these shapes reveals the number of each gender.

Front

What is the significance of generations in a pedigree chart?

Back

Generations in a pedigree chart help trace the inheritance of traits and understand how they are passed down through family lines.

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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 it can be carried without being expressed.

Front

How do you identify carriers in a pedigree chart?

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Carriers are often indicated by filled shapes (for affected individuals) and half-filled shapes (for carriers) in a pedigree chart.

Front

What is the purpose of using pedigree charts in genetics?

Back

Pedigree charts are used to analyze the inheritance patterns of traits, identify carriers, and predict the likelihood of traits appearing in future generations.

Front

What does it mean if a pedigree shows a 50% chance of a trait being passed on?

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A 50% chance indicates that there is an equal likelihood of the trait being inherited or not inherited by the offspring.