Which chart best describes inheritance patterns within a family?

Which chart best describes inheritance patterns within a family?

• A. Punnett square
• B. Gel electrophoresis
• C. Karyotype
• D. Pedigree chart

Answer: (D)

Mapping how a trait is passed through generations is shown by a pedigree chart. It records family relationships across multiple generations and marks who is affected, who carries a trait, and how it appears in relatives. By examining patterns of who is affected, whether generations are skipped, and any sex differences in expression, you can infer how the trait is inherited (autosomal versus sex-linked, dominant versus recessive). The symbols and connections clearly illustrate transmission through a family, which is exactly what’s needed to describe inheritance patterns. The other tools serve different purposes: a Punnett square predicts offspring genotypes for a single mating, gel electrophoresis analyzes DNA fragments, and a karyotype shows chromosome number and structure, not how traits run through a family.

Mapping how a trait is passed through generations is shown by a pedigree chart. It records family relationships across multiple generations and marks who is affected, who carries a trait, and how it appears in relatives. By examining patterns of who is affected, whether generations are skipped, and any sex differences in expression, you can infer how the trait is inherited (autosomal versus sex-linked, dominant versus recessive). The symbols and connections clearly illustrate transmission through a family, which is exactly what’s needed to describe inheritance patterns. The other tools serve different purposes: a Punnett square predicts offspring genotypes for a single mating, gel electrophoresis analyzes DNA fragments, and a karyotype shows chromosome number and structure, not how traits run through a family.