Understanding Pedigrees and Inheritance

What is a pedigree?

• A chart that shows the evolutionary history of a species

• A diagram that shows the occurrence of a trait in a family across generations

• A type of genetic mutation

• A method for cloning animals

On a pedigree, what does a circle represent?

• A male

• A female

• A carrier

• A dominant trait

On a pedigree, what does a square represent?

• A female

• A male

• A child

• A recessive trait

If a shape on a pedigree is half-shaded, what does this indicate?

• The individual is unaffected

• The individual is a carrier of the trait

• The individual expresses the trait

• The individual is not related

If a shape on a pedigree is fully shaded, what does this indicate?

• The individual is unaffected

• The individual is a carrier

• The individual expresses the trait

• The individual is adopted

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

Which genotype could be an example of a half-shaded shape for a recessive trait?

• AA

• Aa

• aa

• BB

Which genotype could be an example of a fully shaded shape for a recessive trait?

• AA

• Aa

• aa

• AB

How are generations typically labeled on a pedigree?

• With numbers (I, II, III, etc.) on the left side

• With letters (A, B, C, etc.) at the top

• With colors

• With Roman numerals at the bottom

How is the order of children shown in a pedigree?

• By shading

• From left to right

• By size of the shape

• By color

What does it mean if a trait is dominant?

• It only appears when two copies are present

• It appears when at least one copy is present

• It skips generations

• It is always harmful