Studying Simple and Complex Traits Using Pedigrees Produced From a Large Database

Abstract

Students in genetics classes become familiar with interpreting pedigrees for modes of inheritance of single-gene traits. Non-majors’ genetics courses often have students produce pedigrees of their own families. This exercise provides students with an extensive database, including over 50 families, from which they are asked to produce pedigrees as evidence in support of or refuting suggested models of inheritance for simple traits. Students are also asked to propose modes of inheritance for complex human traits based on pedigrees that they produce from the database. The people in the database are real and include their own families. This makes the exercise more real and personal for the students.