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Ready to dive into the world of pedigree analysis? Our Pedigree Analysis Quiz Questions with Answers is here to make learning about inheritance patterns and genetics a breeze! Explore a variety of fun and informative questions that cover everything from dominant and recessive traits to genetic disorders. Plus, with answers provided, you can check your understanding as you go and learn along the way. Whether you're studying for a biology exam or just curious about your family's genetic history, this quiz is perfect for you!
Participants of this quiz can expect to encounter a wide range of questions covering various aspects Read moreof pedigree analysis. From identifying patterns of inheritance, such as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked inheritance, to interpreting pedigree charts to determine the likelihood of passing on genetic traits, this quiz covers it all. So, take the test now!
Pedigree Analysis Questions and Answers
1.
In the above pedigree, the affected individuals are shown shaded. None of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait.
What is the inheritance pattern for this trait?
A.
Codominant Inheritance:
B.
Autosomal recessive
C.
Sex linked dominant
D.
X-Linked Dominant Inheritance:
Correct Answer
B. Autosomal recessive
Explanation Recessive because if skips generations I and III; Autosomal because equal number of males and females affected (5 to 5)
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2.
In the above pedigree, the affected individuals are shown shaded. None of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait.
Indicate the genotype(s) of individual # 1
(Allow the dominant trait to be “A” and the recessive trait to be “a” – NOTE: Some may have two possible genotypes)
A.
AA
B.
Aa
C.
Aa
Correct Answer
B. Aa
Explanation Based on the information provided, the affected individuals in the pedigree are shown shaded. Since none of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait, it can be inferred that the trait is likely inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Individual #1 is not affected, so they could either be homozygous dominant (AA) or heterozygous (Aa) for the trait. Since the trait is not shown in either of their parents, it is more likely that individual #1 is heterozygous (Aa) for the trait.
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3.
In the above pedigree, the affected individuals are shown shaded. None of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait.
Indicate the genotype(s) of individual # 2
(Allow the dominant trait to be “A” and the recessive trait to be “a” – NOTE: Some may have two possible genotypes)
A.
AA
B.
Aa
C.
Aa
Correct Answer
B. Aa
Explanation Individual #2 can have a genotype of Aa because they are affected by the trait, which means they must have at least one copy of the dominant allele A. However, since they are affected, they must also have a copy of the recessive allele a. Therefore, their genotype can be Aa.
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4.
In the above pedigree, the affected individuals are shown shaded. None of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait.
Indicate the genotype(s) of individual # 3
(Allow the dominant trait to be “A” and the recessive trait to be “a” – NOTE: Some may have two possible genotypes)
A.
AA
B.
Aa
C.
Aa
Correct Answer
A. AA
Explanation Individual #3 must have the genotype AA because the trait is dominant and both of their parents are affected (shaded), meaning they have at least one copy of the dominant allele. Since none of the marriage partners from outside the families are heterozygous for the trait, it can be inferred that both parents of individual #3 are homozygous dominant (AA).
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5.
In a pedigree chart, if two unaffected individuals have a child with the trait, what is the most likely mode of inheritance for this trait?
A.
Autosomal dominant
B.
Autosomal recessive
C.
X-linked dominant
D.
X-linked recessive
Correct Answer
B. Autosomal recessive
Explanation If two unaffected individuals (neither of them has the trait) have a child with the trait, the most likely mode of inheritance for this trait is autosomal recessive.
In autosomal recessive inheritance, the trait is typically "hidden" or not expressed in carriers (heterozygous individuals), but it can be expressed when two carriers have a child together, and both pass on the recessive allele for the trait. This means that two unaffected parents can have a child with the trait if they both carry a single copy of the recessive allele and pass it on to their child. This scenario is characteristic of autosomal recessive inheritance.
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6.
In the above pedigree, the affected individuals are shown shaded. None of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait.
Indicate the genotype(s) of individual # 5
(Allow the dominant trait to be “A” and the recessive trait to be “a” – NOTE: Some may have two possible genotypes)
A.
AA
B.
Aa
C.
Aa
Correct Answer
B. Aa
7.
In the above pedigree, the affected individuals are shown shaded. None of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait.
Indicate the genotype(s) of individual # 6
(Allow the dominant trait to be “A” and the recessive trait to be “a” – NOTE: Some may have two possible genotypes)
A.
AA
B.
Aa
C.
Aa
Correct Answer
C. Aa
Explanation Individual #6 must have the genotype aa because the trait is dominant and both of their parents are affected, meaning they must carry at least one copy of the dominant allele. Since the trait is not present in any of the marriage partners from outside the two families, it can be concluded that the trait is not inherited from any outside source and must be inherited from the affected parents.
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8.
In the above pedigree, the affected individuals are shown shaded. None of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait.
Indicate the genotype(s) of individual # 7
(Allow the dominant trait to be “A” and the recessive trait to be “a” – NOTE: Some may have two possible genotypes)
A.
AA
B.
Aa
C.
Aa
Correct Answer
B. Aa
Explanation Individual #7 can have the genotype Aa. This is because the affected individuals in the pedigree are shown as shaded, indicating that they have the dominant trait. Since individual #7 is affected, they must have at least one copy of the dominant allele, which is represented by "A". However, since none of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait, individual #7 cannot have the genotype AA. Therefore, the only possible genotype for individual #7 is Aa.
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9.
In the above pedigree, the affected individuals are shown shaded. None of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait.
Indicate the genotype(s) of individual # 8
(Allow the dominant trait to be “A” and the recessive trait to be “a” – NOTE: Some may have two possible genotypes)
A.
AA
B.
Aa
C.
Aa
Correct Answer
B. Aa
Explanation Individual #8 can have the genotype Aa. This is because the trait is dominant, and individual #8 is affected, which means they must have at least one dominant allele. Since none of the marriage partners from outside the families are heterozygous for the trait, it is likely that individual #8 inherited the dominant allele from one of their parents who is affected. Therefore, individual #8 can have the genotype Aa.
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10.
In the above pedigree, the affected individuals are shown shaded. None of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait.
Indicate the genotype(s) of individual # 9
(Allow the dominant trait to be “A” and the recessive trait to be “a” – NOTE: Some may have two possible genotypes)
A.
AA
B.
Aa
C.
Aa
Correct Answer(s)
A. AA B. Aa
Explanation Based on the information given, we can determine that the trait being referred to is dominant. Since none of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait, it implies that both parents of individual #9 are affected. Therefore, individual #9 can have either the genotype AA or Aa.
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11.
In the above pedigree, the affected individuals are shown shaded. None of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait.
Indicate the genotype(s) of individual # 10
(Allow the dominant trait to be “A” and the recessive trait to be “a” – NOTE: Some may have two possible genotypes)
A.
AA
B.
Aa
C.
Aa
Correct Answer
C. Aa
Explanation Based on the information provided, we know that the trait is recessive since none of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait. Individual #10 is affected, which means they must have two copies of the recessive allele. Therefore, the genotype of individual #10 can only be aa.
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12.
In the above pedigree, the affected individuals are shown shaded. None of the marriage partners from outside these two families are heterozygous for the trait.
Indicate the genotype(s) of individual # 11
(Allow the dominant trait to be “A” and the recessive trait to be “a” – NOTE: Some may have two possible genotypes)
A.
AA
B.
Aa
C.
Aa
Correct Answer(s)
A. AA C. Aa
Explanation Individual #11 is the child of two affected individuals, who are both shaded in the pedigree. Since the trait is shown as shaded, it is likely a dominant trait. Both affected individuals could either be heterozygous (Aa) or homozygous dominant (AA). Therefore, individual #11 could have either the genotype aa or AA.
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13.
What pattern of inheritance does this pedigree demonstrate?
A.
Autosomal
B.
Sex linked
Correct Answer
B. Sex linked
Explanation More males affected than females
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14.
What pattern of inheritance does this pedigree demonstrate? (HINT: Look carefully... practice with genotypes if necessary)
A.
Dominant
B.
Recessive
Correct Answer
B. Recessive
Explanation #4 XBXb female and must be heterozygous as one of her sons has trait because dad (#3) must be XbY BUT passed a Y to his SON...
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15.
Indicate the pattern of inheritance observed for pedigree A.
A.
Dominant
B.
Recessive
Correct Answer
B. Recessive
Explanation Recessive because skips a generation: COULD BE Autosomal Recessive bc Neither parent has the trait but one offspring expressed it COULD BE X-linked Recessive bc Neither parent has it but one SON expressed it
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16.
Indicate the pattern of inheritance observed for pedigree B.
A.
Autosomal dominant
B.
Autosomal recessive
C.
Sex linked dominant
D.
Sex linked recessive
Correct Answer
C. Sex linked dominant
Explanation Both of the daughters express the trait, neither SON does, both parents have it
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17.
Indicate the pattern of inheritance observed for pedigree C.
A.
Autosomal dominant
B.
Autosomal recessive
C.
Sex linked dominant
D.
Sex linked recessive
Correct Answer
B. Autosomal recessive
Explanation Neither parent expresses the trait but one son and one daughter express the trait
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18.
Indicate the pattern of inheritance observed for pedigree D.
A.
Dominant
B.
Recessive
Correct Answer
A. Dominant
Explanation dominant because in every generation: COULD BE X-linked dominant bc Both daughters express the trait, inherited from the fathers affected X chromosome, neither son expresses the trait - COULD BE Autosomal Dominant bc Only the daughters inherited the faulty chromosome from the father by chance
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19.
Indicate the pattern of inheritance observed for pedigree E.
A.
Autosomal Recessive
B.
X-Linked
C.
Y-Linked
Correct Answer
A. Autosomal Recessive
Explanation Based on the pedigree shown in "Pedigree E," the pattern of inheritance observed appears to be Autosomal Recessive.
Explanation:
In an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, the trait can skip generations, meaning it may not appear in every generation.
Both males and females are equally likely to inherit the trait, as observed in the pedigree.
Individuals must inherit two copies of the recessive allele (one from each parent) to express the trait, which is why affected individuals in the pedigree are typically born to parents who are carriers but do not express the trait themselves.
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20.
What pattern of inheritance is shown in the pedigree?
A.
Autosomal dominant
B.
Autosomal recessive
C.
Sex linked dominant
D.
Sex linked recessive
Correct Answer
B. Autosomal recessive
Explanation Autosomal recessive inheritance is a pattern of inheritance where a single copy of a mutated gene, located on one of the autosomes (non-sex chromosomes), is sufficient to cause the expression of a trait or disorder. In other words, the presence of one mutant allele is enough to result in the trait, even if the other allele is normal.
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21.
What pattern of inheritance is shown in the pedigree?
A.
Autosomal dominant
B.
Autosomal recessive
C.
Sex linked dominant
D.
Sex linked recessive
Correct Answer
B. Autosomal recessive
Explanation Skips generation I on one side of the family and skips generation III - equal numbers affected
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22.
What pattern of inheritance is shown in the pedigree?
A.
Autosomal dominant
B.
Autosomal recessive
C.
Sex linked dominant
D.
Sex linked recessive
Correct Answer
D. Sex linked recessive
Explanation recessive because carriers - sex linked because only females are carriers and more males affected than females
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23.
What pattern of inheritance is shown in the pedigree?
A.
Autosomal dominant
B.
Autosomal recessive
C.
Sex linked dominant
D.
Sex linked recessive
Correct Answer
A. Autosomal dominant
Explanation Huntington's Disease is a well-known example of an autosomal dominant disorder. This means that only one copy of the altered gene, inherited from an affected parent, is sufficient to cause the disease. Both males and females can be affected, and it typically appears in each generation. This pattern is clearly demonstrated in the provided pedigree.
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24.
What pattern of inheritance is shown in the pedigree?
A.
Autosomal dominant
B.
Autosomal recessive
C.
Sex linked dominant
D.
Sex linked recessive
Correct Answer
B. Autosomal recessive
Explanation recessive because skips generations I and III AND males and females are HETEROZYGOUS (Carriers) - autosomal because males can be heterozygous carriers
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