Family trees that trace a trait across generations to infer dominant, recessive or sex-linked inheritance.
Squares are males and circles are females; filled symbols show the affected. Dominant traits appear in every generation, while recessive traits may skip generations and often appear when parents are related. X-linked patterns appear mostly in males.
Carefully determine mode of inheritance and calculate risks.
Family trees that trace a trait across generations to infer dominant, recessive or sex-linked inheritance.
Pedigree Analysis is one of the 54 topics in Genetics. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Sex-Linked Inheritance, Heredity, Homozygous and Heterozygous.
Two unaffected parents with an affected child suggests a recessive condition.
Work through the Beginner topics in Genetics first, such as Heredity, Gene, Allele, then return to Pedigree Analysis. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Pedigree Analysis are Sex-Linked Inheritance, Heredity, Homozygous and Heterozygous, Genetic Counselling. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Pedigree Analysis. To practise the whole of Genetics, use the Genetics quiz.
Pedigree Analysis: Family trees that trace a trait across generations to infer dominant, recessive or sex-linked inheritance. Sex-Linked Inheritance: Genes on the X chromosome show different patterns in males and females, as with red-green colour blindness. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Sex-Linked Inheritance and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Genetics quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Genes on the X chromosome show different patterns in males and females, as with red-green colour blindness.
🧬 GeneticsThe passing of traits from parents to offspring through genetic material.
🧬 GeneticsHomozygous means two identical alleles for a gene; heterozygous means two different alleles.
🧬 GeneticsProfessional guidance that helps families understand inherited disease risk and testing options.
🧬 Genetics