A pedigree is a visual representation, often resembling a family tree, that illustrates familial relationships and tracks specific phenotypes across generations. In a pedigree chart, circles denote females, while squares represent males. Affected individuals, those exhibiting the phenotype of interest, are indicated by shaded or colored shapes. Conversely, unshaded circles and squares signify unaffected individuals.
Connections within the pedigree are crucial for understanding relationships: horizontal lines link mating parents, while vertical lines connect parents to their offspring. For instance, if two shapes are connected horizontally, it indicates a mating pair, with one shape representing the male and the other the female. Vertical connections show the lineage from parents to their children, and if siblings are depicted, they will be connected vertically under the same parental line.
As you delve deeper into the study of pedigrees, recognizing these symbols and connections will enhance your ability to interpret genetic information and understand inheritance patterns. This foundational knowledge will be essential as you explore more complex genetic concepts in future lessons.
