Question

Three Mark Questions :
Why is pedigree analysis done in the study of human genetics? State the conclusion that can be drawn from it.

Answer 1

Pedigree analysis can be used to trace the inheritance of a specific trait, abnormality or disease in humans. The study of family history about the inheritance of a particular trait in several generations of a family is called pedigree analysis. The following conclusions can be made:

• By pedigree analysis, one can easily find out whether the trait is dominant or recessive.

• The trait is linked to sex chromosome or autosomal can found out by pedigree analysis, for example, hemophilia is a sex-linked recessive disease. X-linked recessive trait shows transmission from carrier female to male progeny.

• The pattern of inheritance of Mendelian disorders can be traced in a family by pedigree analysis. For example, most common Mendelian disorders are hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, color blindness, phenylketonuria, thalassemia, etc.