Download Family Pedigree Project

Name______________________________________Date__________________Sec______
Family Pedigree Project
Purpose:
To use what you’ve learned about genetics to create a family pedigree that traces 1 genetic trait
through at least 3 generations of your family.
Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
To recognize your genetic history.
To test select individuals from your family for several genetic traits.
To determine which traits are dominant in your family.
To present the data for posting on the team Pili Ia‘u Project page
Materials:
PTC, Sodium Benzoate, Thiourea, and Control Test Paper
Pedigree Chart of family
Trait Data Table
Procedure:
1. Now that you’ve had some practice, you will start to make a pedigree of your family that will show
one genetic trait passed through at least 3 generations.
2. Start with a list of all of your know relatives (both living and deceased). It should be easier if you
list people according to families (ex: your aunt/uncle and their children).
3. Next to each name, list their date of birth (if known), their relationship to you, and any other
information that will help you to create your pedigree. (Also indicate if the person is deceased-when
applicable).
4. When you have listed at least three generations (including your generation), you can start to draw
out your pedigree.
5. Leave some space below each person in the pedigree (circle/square), record the person’s first and
last name.
6. Decide which traits you want to research about your family. You will be required to perform the
taste test on as many relative as you can, but you must also collect data on 2 additional traits. You
may use any of the following: ear lobe attachment, tongue rolling, hitchhiker’s thumb, mid-digital
hair, dimples, freckles, or widow’s peak.
7. Create a data table to collect all data. (See the example below)
8. After collecting all the data, choose 1 trait to record on your pedigree. Remember to color in the
circle/square of the people who have the trait.
9. Your pedigree should include pictures of your relatives or pictures of the trait you tested.
10. Use your pedigree to hypothesize the probable genotype of each of your family members. Include
your hypothesis about whether you think this trait is caused by a dominant or recessive gene.
11. Your pedigree will be displayed through the Pili Ia‘u website with the explanation of what it means
about your genetic make-up.
Sample Data Table
Name
Relationship/ PTC
Birthdate
Sodium Thiourea Control
Benzoate
Dimples
Tongue
Rolling
Grading Rubric – Family Pedigree Project
Criteria
Data Table
5 pts.
3 pts.
1 pt.
Data is complete
3 traits for 3
generations included
Neatly done, organized
On time
Most data is completed Incomplete
Includes 3 traits for 3 Missing parts
generations
Late
Not very organized,
confusing to reader
Pedigree
Pedigree is neatly
drawn
Correct symbols and
color coding are used
Pedigree is complete
to 3 generations
Pedigree is somewhat
confusing
Most symbols are
correct with color
coding
Pedigree is complete
to 3 generations
Incomplete
Symbols used
incorrectly or missing
Late
Organization
Pedigree is neatly
organized
Generations and
symbols are clear
Pedigree is somewhat
organized but the
reader has a hard time
determining
relationships and
generations
Not organized, very
confusing to reader
Aesthetics
Overall project is
appealing to reader
Easy to read
Pictures added to make
it more interesting to
reader
Project is easy to read
Some pictures are
included but not
complete
Not attractive
No pictures included
Explanation
Explanation is clear
and concise
Includes hypothesis of
genotypes for each
family member
Includes hypothesis of
dominant/recessive
trait
Explanation is
somewhat clear
Does not include
hypothesis of genotype
and/or hypothesis of
dominant/recessive
trait
Explanation is
incomplete
No hypothesis made