Analyzing Pedigrees

Resource Type
Description
This activity introduces students to how pedigrees are used by scientists who study human disease.
Students begin by reading information about the symbols used in pedigrees and how to read pedigrees. They then examine three different pedigrees of families with individuals who have spinocerebellar ataxia, colon cancer, and familial adenomatous polyposis. For each pedigree, students answer questions about the inheritance pattern and consider how family members might use this information.
Student Learning Targets
Use information in pedigrees to infer the inheritance pattern of certain human traits.
Estimated Time
Key Terms
dominant, genetic testing, inheritance, recessive, symptoms, trait
Terms of Use
Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.
Version History
HS-LS3-1; SEP2, SEP6
SYI-3.C, IST-1.I, IST-4.A; SP1, SP2
3.1, 3.4, B.5
ELA.RST.9–12.7, ELA.WHST.9–12.1
CC3; DP1, DP3