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VICBiologyQuick questions
Unit 2: How does inheritance impact on diversity?
Quick questions on Pedigree analysis: VCE Biology Unit 2
10short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is pedigree symbols?Show answer
A standard pedigree uses these conventions:
What is how to identify the inheritance pattern?Show answer
Work through these questions in order. The pattern that fits all the clues wins.
What is deducing genotypes?Show answer
Once you know the inheritance pattern, work through the pedigree filling in what you can.
What is calculating probabilities?Show answer
Apply a Punnett square to the cross. Probabilities multiply across independent events.
What is worked walk-through?Show answer
Pedigree: Generation I has an unaffected couple (man and woman). They have two daughters, one affected and one unaffected. The affected daughter marries an unaffected man; they have three children, two affected sons and one unaffected daughter.
What is saying "skipped generations means X-linked"?Show answer
Skipped generations means recessive (autosomal or X-linked). Use male bias to distinguish X-linked.
What is saying "affected female means X-linked dominant"?Show answer
Females can be affected for autosomal traits too. Look at the pattern in males before deciding.
What is forgetting that small pedigrees can fit multiple patterns?Show answer
With only one generation visible, be prepared to give both possibilities.
What is ignoring consanguinity?Show answer
A double horizontal line means the parents are related, which makes recessive traits more likely.
What is treating probability as certainty?Show answer
Pedigree ratios are expected; small families often deviate by chance.