Human Genetic Pedigrees Tracking your own family traits
What is a Genetic Pedigree? A genetic pedigree is an easy way to track your family traits. It looks like a family tree, but also contains information about your genetic history. For this activity you will indicate the inheritance patterns of the following traits, with a corresponding key. Tongue Rolling – T or t – Tongue rolling is dominant Hair Color – R or r – Black and Brown is dominant Curly or Straight Hair – A or a – Curly is dominant Eye Color – I or i – Black or brown is dominant Thumb curve – L or l – Curve is recessive Pinky curve – S or s – Bent is dominant
Assignment Tasks You will draw a pedigree in the following steps. Draw all the family members for you, your siblings, your parents, and grandparents. Make a Phenotype Key for all 6 traits. Use symbols and annotations as indicated.
This shows three generations indicated by the roman numerals on the left . Each individual in a generation is then numbered for each generation. When possible, the older person is on the left, continuing in descending order. Generations I II III 1 2 3
Symbols Squares indicate males. Circles indicate females. Solid line connecting male and female generally indicates marriage. Vertical line indicates the couple has a child. Dashed vertical lines are for adopted children. Horizontal line for children continues to indicate all children for that couple. Oldest child on the left, youngest on the right. Symbols I 1 2 II 2 3 1 III 1
Remarriages Half or Step Siblings Female 2 had two marriages. They had a son. Male 3 is the second husband. They had a daughter. Male 3 had a previous wife. Here the siblings age is not necessarily in descending age order. Remarriages Half or Step Siblings 1 2 3 4 I II Table of Contents
Twins Identical twins split the sibling line at an angle. Fraternal twins are usually indicated with an annotation below each twin. The genetic inheritance is the same as though they were born at different times. Twins I 1 2 II 3 4 1 2 Table of Contents
Pedigree Sample ? Key: White shading = cannot roll (r) Blue shading = can roll (R ) ? = unknown phenotype
Rubric Three generations correctly annotated. You are indicated on your family tree. All 6 Phenotypes shown for family members. Phenotype key with corresponding alleles Name, date, and period is on the back. Rough Draft – 2 adult signatures Final Draft - Must use a ruler, in ink ( or computer) Table of Contents