Question

Look at the pedigree shown here. Could this pedigree show the inheritance of:

1. an autosomal dominant trait? Why or why not?
2. an autosomal recessive trait? Why or why not?
I
2
II
IN
3
4
III
1
2
3
4

Answer 1

This pedigree doesn't show an autosomal dominant trait because 3,4 are carriers, passing the gene to their offsprings but don't manifest the phenotype. This pedigree can represent an autosomal recessive gene based on what I just mentioned. We know that this is an autosomal trait because it seems to affect both genders equally.