Understanding Pedigree Charts and Genetic Traits

The video tutorial explains how pedigree charts help scientists trace the inheritance of traits. It begins with a family story, illustrating how traits like hair color are passed down through generations. The tutorial introduces the symbols used in pedigree charts, such as squares for males and circles for females, and explains how to analyze these charts to identify carriers and those expressing recessive traits. The video concludes with a review of the key concepts, encouraging viewers to think like scientists when examining family trees.

What is the primary purpose of a pedigree chart?

• To show family wealth

• To list family members' names

• To display family photos

• To trace the passing of traits

In a pedigree chart, what does a square represent?

• A female

• A parent

• A male

• A child

How is a female represented in a pedigree chart?

• As a rectangle

• As a circle

• As a triangle

• As a square

What does a half-shaded shape in a pedigree chart indicate?

• A dominant trait

• A recessive trait

• An unknown trait

• A carrier of a recessive trait

Which hair color is dominant in the example provided?

• Red

• Brown

• Black

• Blonde

What is the genetic makeup of a heterozygous individual for hair color in the example?

• Two dominant genes

• Two recessive genes

• One dominant and one recessive gene

• No genes

What does a fully shaded shape in a pedigree chart signify?

• The individual shows the recessive trait

• The individual shows the dominant trait

• The individual is a carrier

• The individual has no known traits

What does it mean if a shape is not shaded at all in a pedigree chart?

• The individual is a carrier

• The individual shows the dominant trait

• The individual is not part of the family

• The individual shows the recessive trait

What is the genetic representation of a recessive trait in the example?

• One uppercase B and one lowercase b

• Two lowercase b's

• No B's

• Two uppercase B's

What should you do the next time you look at a family tree, according to the video?

• Ignore it

• Think like a scientist and trace a trait

• Draw a new family tree

• Count the number of family members