What is a Pedigree?
- Page ID
- 184320
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A pedigree is a chart for tracing genes in a family. Start by watching this video on Pedigree Analysis. Then continue reading further down the page.
When using a pedigree to trace genotype, keep these things in mind:
- If you're tracing an autosomal gene - a person who does not show the phenotype must have a homozygous recessive genotype
- When you're tracing a sex-linked trait - you need to think about the inheritance of the sex chromosomes as well as the dominant and recessive alleles.
Go to the Drag-and-Drop Pedigree page. Work through the 4 genetic problems (Tongue Rolling, Eye Color, Diabetes, and Hypertension) on this site as practice for solving pedigrees. Be sure to read the directions on the first page.
For fun you can watch the video, Harry Potter and the Genetics of Wizarding. This video was made for National DNA Day 2016.