What is Pedigree Analysis?

What is pedigree? When you talk about pedigree dogs, that means dog breeds. Through selective breeding, dogs have all the specific characteristics that breed. However, when talking about genetics, pedigree is a chart that helps family relationships.

Pedigree analysis

A pedigree is a chart showing the inheritance of a trait for generations. A pedigree is generally made for families, and outlines inheritance patterns from genetic disorders. Pictured below is a pedigree that displays a legacy of recessive disorder through three generations (Figure below). From studying genealogy, scientists can determine the following:

• If the trait is (sex-linked) sex links (on X or Y chromosomes) or autosomal (on chromosomes that do not determine sex).
• If the traits are inherited dominantly or recessively.
• Sometimes the pedigree can also help determine whether individuals with heterozygous or homozygous traits.

In pedigree, the box symbolizes male, and the circle represents female. A horizontal line that combines male and female indicates that the couple has offspring. Vertical lines show offspring listed left to right, in order of birth. The circle or square shadow shows an individual who has the nature of being traced. In this pedigree, the inheritance of recessive traits is being explored. A is a dominant allele, and is a recessive allele.