STEM_BIO11/12-IIIa-b-1

PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

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Pedigree Analysis

CORE IDEAS Pedigree Analysis

1. Identify a trait’s mode of inheritance from a pedigree

LEARNING
2. Predict genotypes of parents
OUTCOMES
3. Compute probability of occurrence of an offspring
expressing a trait of interest in each cross.

CODES STEM_BIO11/12-IIIa-b-1

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Pedigree Analysis

A pedigree is a family that shows the traits

of the parents and offspring across
generations.
Pedigree analysis uses records from
family members to:
• describe inheritance patterns of
traits;
• determine probability of inheriting
traits using Mendelian laws.

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Pedigree Symbols

The pedigree symbols are used in

genetics diagrams to trace the
inheritance of an abnormality,
disease, or inheritance of a
specific trait. The proband, or the
person of interest, is indicated by
an arrow. Affected individuals are
shaded. Generation are written as
Hindu-Arabic numerals.

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Let’s Try!

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How Traits are Passed Down

Autosomal traits are traits passed down from the non-sex

chromosomes. Some can be autosomal dominant or recessive. A
genotype can be a carrier of the traits but not expressing

General Biology 2 | where everything is theoretically impossible until and unless it is done
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General Biology 2 | where everything is theoretically impossible until and unless it is done
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How Traits are Passed Down

Autosomal traits are traits passed down from the non-sex

chromosomes. Some can be autosomal dominant or recessive. A
genotype can be a carrier of the traits but not expressing

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A woman with a widow’s peak

has this family pedigree. Is
Example No.1 widow’s peak dominant or
recessive?

Widow’s peak is a V-shaped growth of hair

toward the center of the forehead

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Example No.1

In the 3rd generation, the 2nd

daughter does not express
widow’s peak, but both
parents have the trait. The
trait is caused by a dominant
allele.

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Example No.2

Is this trait dominant or recessive?

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Example No.2

Let’s check if it is a dominant, G.

All unaffected individuals shall
have the genotype, gg.
In the 1st and 3rd generations, the
parentals are both recessive, so
there are no changes of having a
dominant allele.

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Example No.2

Is this trait dominant or recessive?

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Example No.2

Let’s check if it is a recessive, g

All affected individuals shall have
the genotype, gg. Each parent
should have one recessive allele.
In the 1st generation, if both parents
are not affected, they should have
a dominant allele. Therefore, both
parents are heterozygous.

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Example No.2

In the 2nd generation, given one

parent is recessive, the other
must carry a dominant allele to
have heterozygous offspring.

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Example No.2

In the 3rd generation, since the

parents are both heterozygous, the
resulting fourth generation has three
possible kinds of genotypes.
Therefore, G is a recessive trait based
on the analysis of the given pedigree.

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Importance of Pedigree Analysis

Genetic Counseling

Genetic counsellors can advise

individuals or families about risks
of getting genetic disorders.
They use pedigree analysis to
trace possible patterns of
inheritance of abnormalities.

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Genetics All Around Us

Performance Task No.1: Constructing a Pedigree
Construct a pedigree with 2 or 3 generations of your family using any of the following
traits. If possible, indicates the genotypes of any individual (e.g., AA, Aa, or aa)
I. Widow’s peak (dominant) or straight hairline (recessive)
II. With (dominant) or without finger hair (recessive)
III. Free (dominant) or attached (recessive) earlobe
IV. Curly (dominant), wavy (heterozygous), or straight (recessive) hair
V. Normal (dominant) or hitchhiker’s thumb (recessive)

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Genetics All Around Us

Performance Task No.1: Constructing a Pedigree

Widow’s peak Finger hair Earlobe Hitchhiker's thumb

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