Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Pedigree analysis is a diagrammatic method used to study the inheritance patterns of traits across generations in a family. It helps in identifying whether a trait is dominant, recessive, autosomal, or sex-linked.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Pedigree charts use standardized symbols where squares represent males and circles represent females.
A filled symbol indicates an individual expressing the trait, while an empty symbol indicates an unaffected individual.
Horizontal lines connecting a male and female represent mating, and vertical lines lead to their offspring.
Pedigree analysis can help predict genetic disorders within a family by revealing carriers of recessive alleles.
It is often used to track Mendelian inheritance patterns such as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked dominant, and X-linked recessive.
Review Questions
Related terms
Genotype: The genetic constitution of an individual organism.
Phenotype: The observable characteristics or traits of an organism.
Mendelian Inheritance: Patterns of inheritance that are characteristic of organisms that reproduce sexually.