Family Pedigree Project
Due Date: ___________
Overview: You will research your family tree (if you do not have
access to the information from 3 generations of your family, you will
need to talk to Mrs. Thompson). By speaking with as many relatives
as possible, you will find out about how traits are passed down
through generations.
Example Pedigree:
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Step 1: Chose ONE of the following phenotypes to research. (At
least TWO PEOPLE in your family need to have the phenotype you
choose.
≈ Has hitch-hiker thumb
≈ Has free earlobes
≈ Has widow’s peak
≈ Has mid-digital hair
≈ Has bent little finger
≈ Has cheek dimples
≈ Has freckles
≈ Has a dimple-chin
Step 2: Record your data in the “Family Data Sheet.” The first line
shows an example entry. (If you receive a pedigree from me you will
use it for your data. This page will be attached to your
pedigree and turned in.
Step 3: Create a pedigree using the answers you collected from
relatives. Remember to be creative. Your pedigree will identify:
≈ Males and females
≈ How people are related
≈ Who has the trait and who does not
≈ The genotypes of people
≈ A key to tell if the trait is dominant or recessive (you will have
to do a little research to find out) and to tell what the genotypes
represent.
Step 4: Once your pedigree is complete, attach all completed sheets
and turn in. Please do in the following order:
Page 1, a cover sheet
page 2, family data sheet
page 3, your pedigree
page 4, any extra credit pedigrees
page 5, the grading rubric.
Extra credit:
You may complete pedigrees for up to two more traits. So in
total if you do all of the extra credit you will have 3 pedigrees and 3
data sheets.
Family Data Sheet
Trait=__________ (Which trait did you research)
PHENOTYPE
SEX (M/F)
RELATIONSHIP TO
YOU
Has trait
F
Maternal Grandmother
Maternal = mother
Paternal = Father
Family Pedigree Project Grading Rubric
THINGS TO
INCLUDE
FAMILY DATA
&
GRADING
SHEET
Due date: ____________
1
3
5
Family Data OR
Grading Sheet
not attached.
Family Data is
not completely
Filled out.
TRAIT
Pedigree does
NOT depict one of
the listed traits
from Step 1 of the
assignment sheet.
N/A
PEDIGREE
POSTER
Only (1)
generation is
present.
Key is not
present.
Only (2)
generations are
present.
PEDIGREE KEY
PEDIGREE
GENOTYPES
Genotypes are
not listed.
RELATIVES
PRESENT AND
ACCOUNTED
FOR
Many unexplained
gaps are present,
making it very
difficult to follow
the trait
inheritance
correctly.
ACCURATE
PEDIGREE
Few family
members are
connected to
others in a logical
fashion, AND/OR
few affected
people are clearly
identified.
PROFESSIONAL
PRODUCT
Tree is very
difficult to read
and/or
interpret.
CREATIVITY
No colors,
patterns,
magazine pictures,
photos, etc. have
been used to make
this pedigree
unique.
Key is present, but
some information
requested is
missing.
Only some of the
relative’s
genotypes are
listed.
Some unexplained
gaps are present,
making it
somewhat difficult
to accurately
follow the trait
inheritance.
Most family
members are
connected to
others in a logical
fashion, AND?OR
most affected
people are clearly
identified.
Tree is somewhat
difficult to
interpret. Appears
somewhat rushed
or sloppy.
N/A
SUBTOTAL
Family Data AND
Grading Sheet are
Completed and
attached to the
poster.
Pedigree depicts
one of the listed
traits from Step 1
of the assignment
sheet.
At least (3)
generations are
present.
Key is present and
includes all
information
requested.
All members of
the family tree
have genotypes
listed.
No gaps are
present in the
family tree,
members may be
deceased or
inaccessible, but
are still
represented in the
tree.
All family
members are
connected to
others in a logical
fashion, and all
affected people are
clearly identified.
Tree is easy to
read and key is
easy to interpret.
Project is neat and
clear.
Colors, patterns,
magazine pictures,
photos, etc. have
been used to make
this pedigree
unique.
TOTAL SCORE: Your score x 2 = _____ /90
BONUS
EXTRA PEDIGREES MUST RECEIVE ALL 5’S TO GET CREDIT.
5 POINTS POSSIBLE FOR EACH PEDIGREE.