Reading a Family Tree

Lab Brief #5

🎯 Your mission

Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.

⚡ The twist

Nature loves to surprise the careful watcher.

What you'll learn

A pedigree chart shows how a trait passes through generations using squares for males, circles for females, and shading for those showing the trait. A trait that skips a generation is usually recessive.

Key words

pedigree chart
A diagram showing how a trait is inherited across generations of one family.
generation
One level of a family tree, such as parents or grandparents.

Make a hypothesis first

Before you start: write down what you think will happen, and why.

Say your guess out loud — then find out if you were right.

Get ready

🧰 What you need

pedigree chart worksheet
pencil
ruler

⚠️ Safety first

Have an adult check your set-up before you start, and tidy everything away afterwards.

Step 1 of 4 · Read

Think about what you just learned: say what "pedigree chart" and "generation" mean in your own words before you start.

Step 2 of 4 · Do

Given a three-generation pedigree for tongue-rolling, work out which individuals must carry the trait without showing it. Then draw your own family's pedigree for one harmless visible trait.

Step 3 of 4 · Observe

Record what actually happened, including anything that did not match what you expected.

Step 4 of 4 · Record

Write a conclusion that answers the question this lesson opened with, and state your uncertainty.

Question 1 of 2

On a pedigree chart, a circle represents a:

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Question 2 of 2

A trait that skips a generation is most likely:

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Mind = blown

🔬 The more you look, the more nature shows you.

Nice work!

You got 0 of 2 right.

All lessons

🎯

Next Smart Experiment

We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.

✨ More to explore

🌍 Where you see this in real life: This shows up in your everyday life more than you'd think.

🏆 Stretch challenge (try it this week): Try one experiment in real life this week — even a tiny one.

👨‍👩‍👧 For the dinner table: “What's the most surprising thing you learned today?”

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