Analyzing Pedigrees

A newer version of this resource is available at: https://www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources/analyzing-pedigrees-0

In this activity, students interpret several pedigrees of autosomal dominant and recessive conditions and consider the benefits and limitations of genetic testing.

Students answer multiple-choice questions about these pedigrees and explain their reasoning. For some questions, the goal is not to get the “right” answer but rather to discuss how pedigrees can be used to make decisions about one’s health. Students can answer questions as a class, in small groups or individually.

You can share the pedigree images via the “Student Handout” or “Slide Deck” presentation. The “Educator Materials” provides suggestions for implementing the activity and guiding discussion. A separate “Additional Background” document provides more information about pedigree symbols and other notations.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.