Pedigree Lesson
Topic: Pedigree Analysis
Grade Levels: 10-12
Instructional Objectives:
 Students will understand the basic concepts Pedigree analysis:
 Definition
 Symbols
 Students will understand the main purpose of Pedigrees.
 Students will understand the basic and unique characteristics associated with the different mode of
inheritance (autosomal dominant, recessive or sex-linked).
 Students will be able to use a pedigree to indicate if a trait is autosomal dominant, recessive or sex
linked.
 Students will understand the concept of genotype and phenotype.
 Students will be capable of independently designing a familial pedigree chart for a particular trait.
Concepts Addressed:
3.1 Unifying Themes
3.1.12 C Access and apply patterns in science and technology.
3.2 Inquiry and Design
3.2.12 D Analyze and use the technological design process to solve problems.
3.3 Biological Sciences
3.312 A Explain the relationship between structure and function at all levels of organization
3.3.13 C Explain gene inheritance and expression at the molecular level.
3.8 Science Technology and Human Endeavors
3.8.12 A Synthesize and evaluate the interactions and constraints of science and technology on society.
3.8.12 C Evaluate the consequences and impacts of scientific and technological solutions.
Material Required:
 Data chart for PTC taster
 Dominant trait chart
 Overhead projector
 Transparencies of:
 Pedigree analysis of X-Linked Dominant trait
 Different Pedigrees, Autosomal Dominant, Recessive and Sex-linked
 Student outline
 Student Pedigree symbol chart
 Pedigree worksheets
 Pedigree Analysis CD
Engagement:
 Phenotype Identification
PTC test
 Dominant trait chart
Procedure:
 Introduce today's topic and its importance:
 What do we use to study how traits are inherited from one generation to the next in humans?
 Today we are actually going to design Pedigrees for traits that aren't so important, but this will serve as good practice and even as a model for you to design a family pedigree for a particular trait or
disease.
 Give Students the data chart for dominant traits
 Exemplify the dominant trait chart with Hitchhiker's thumb
 Student identify their phenotypes
 Pass guided notes to students
 Begin Pedigree notes discussion
 Return to Dominant trait chart
 Students fill in possible Genotypes
 Use hitchhiker example to show possible genotypes
 Have students identify the mode of inheritance with the example: Identification of mode of inheritance in a large Pedigree of an X-Linked trait
 Exemplify how to use the Pedigree Analysis Software
 Class divides into lab groups
 Hand out Pedigree symbols and worksheets
 Have students work through worksheet then software
 Review worksheet
 Exemplify how to design a family pedigree with one of the dominant traits (hitchhiker thumb) specifically identifying genotypes
Key Discussion Questions:
 What are the symbols used to design a pedigree?
 What are genotypes and phenotypes?
 What are the two types of Pedigrees?
 What are the three basic Modes of Inheritance?
 In an X-linked inheritance why can't an affected male pass to his son?
Closure:
 Review the questions on the pedigree worksheets.
 Exemplify how to design a family pedigree with one of the dominant traits (hitchhiker thumb)
specifically identifying genotypes.
Assessment:
 Informal via the correction and completion of the pedigree worksheets
 Formal: Assessing the correctness of the completed familial pedigree chart for a specific trait
Extension Activities:
 Design a familial pedigree for one of the traits found on the dominant trait chart. If possible the
pedigree should go back at least two generations (your parents and grandparents).
Teacher Notes
Teacher Notes: Pedigree
I Introduction:
One way of studying how a disease or a genetic syndrome is inherited is to study the family of affected or sick individual.
A. A Pedigree is a graphic or a chart the shows how the disease is transmitted
1. There are two types of pedigree charts:
a. It can be a chart that represents the family's genotype , the genes.
b. Or it can be a chart that represents a family's phenotype, or appearance.
B. What are Phenotypes and Genotypes?
1. Phenotype- the appearance The way an organism looks, the expression of the genes
2. Genotypes- The gene combination in an individual that can cause a particular trait or disorder.
C. Example:
1. Lets assume that the gene for tallness is dominant -T. And the gene for shortness is recessive- t
2. There are three possible gene combinations or genotypes they are:
Genotype: What are the gene combinations
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Phenotype: What will they look like
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TT: Homozygous dominant means that the individual has two genes for tallness
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Tall
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Tt: heterozygous means that the individual has one tall gene and one short gene
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Tall
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Tt: homozygous recessive means that the individual has two short genes.
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Short
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D. Go Back to Dominant Trait chart and fill in all possible genotypes use my example of hitchhiker thumb.
II. How do you make a pedigree
A. A pedigree is made up of symbols
1. Each symbol has a specific meaning:
2. Have students define the following basic symbols:
a. Female affected
b. Male
c. Mating
d. What would parents and child and siblings look like?
B. The main purpose or use of a Pedigree is to display the information that indicates how a trait or disease is inherited from one generation to the next - Mode of Inheritance:
1. The Three main Modes of Inheritance are:
a.Autosomal Dominant: Example pedigree
1. Each Affected child has at least one affected parent
2. Each affected parent has a 50% chance of having an affected child
Example of an Autosomal Dominant Pedigree
b. Autosomal Recessive Example pedigree
1. Both parents of the affected child are normal heterozygote; they both carry the recessive gene
2. If both parents are affected then all their children will be affected
Example of an Autosomal Recessive Pedigree
c. Sex-linked
1. X-linked recessive Example Pedigree of Hemophilia Overhead
a. Each affected male has a carrier mother (heterozygote)
b. A carrier mother (heterozygote) will usually be normal but:
1. ½ of her sons will be affected
2. ½ of her daughters will be affected
c. Affected males cannot pass the trait to their sons, but all of their daughters are carriers.
1. Why? Because males give a copy of their Y chromosome to their sons and the disease is on the X chromosome.
An Example of an X-Linked Recessive Pedigree for Queen Victoria of England. The trait is Hemophilia.
2. X-linked Dominant: Example Pedigree
a. Affected males will produce affected all affected daughters and no affected sons.
1. Why? Because the father can only give their daughter his X chromosome, which is, the same chromosome that actually has the diseased gene.
b. A heterozygote-affected mother will pass the trait to half of her children.
1. Her sons and daughters are equally affected.
a. Why? Because there is a 50% chance that she can give either her diseased X
chromosome or her normal X chromosome.
Example of an X-Linked Dominant Pedigree
III Definition of Pedigree
A. A chart consisting of symbols for individuals that show the transmission of inherited traits or genes.
Dominate Traits
Phenotype Genotype
Trait
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Myself
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Dad
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Mom
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Sib1
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Sib2
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Trait
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Myself
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Dad
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Mom
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Sib1
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Sib2
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Straight Thumb
Y=Yes
N=No
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Y
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N
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Y
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Y
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N
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S=Straight Thumb
s=hitchhiker thumb
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SS
Ss
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ss
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SS
Ss
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SS
Ss
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ss
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Tongue Rolling
Y=Yes
N=No
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R=Tongue Rolling
r=non-roller
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Widow's Peak
Y=Yes
N=No
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W=Widow's Peak
w=no Widow's Peak
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Taster
Y=Yes
N=No
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T=Taster
t= non-taster
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Pedigree
Design a family pedigree for one of the above traits going back two generations (your parents and grandparents, if possible.
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