Pedigree Chart Practice With Answers

Are you looking to improve your skills in interpreting pedigree charts? Practice makes perfect, and what better way to do so than by working through some pedigree chart examples with answers? Pedigree charts are a tool used in genetics to track the inheritance of traits within a family. By studying these charts, you can gain a better understanding of how genetic traits are passed down from one generation to the next.

Below are some pedigree chart practice questions along with their answers to help you sharpen your skills:

Pedigree Chart Practice With Answers

Example 1:

Here is a pedigree chart showing the inheritance of a rare genetic disorder in a family. The disorder is autosomal dominant. Use the chart to answer the following questions:

Question: What is the genotype of individual II-3?

Answer: Individual II-3 is affected by the disorder, so their genotype must be heterozygous (Aa).

Example 2:

Consider the following pedigree chart that shows the inheritance of a recessive trait. Use the chart to answer the questions below:

Question: What is the genotype of individual I-1?

Answer: Individual I-1 does not exhibit the trait, so their genotype must be homozygous dominant (AA).

Example 3:

Now, let’s look at a pedigree chart for a sex-linked trait. Use the chart to answer the following question:

Question: If individual II-4 is a carrier for the trait, what are the possible genotypes of their children with a male who does not have the trait?

Answer: The possible genotypes of their children could be carrier females (XAXa) and unaffected males (XY).

By practicing with these pedigree chart examples and answers, you can gain confidence in interpreting genetic inheritance patterns. Remember to pay attention to the symbols used in pedigree charts and understand the rules of inheritance for different types of traits. Happy practicing!