In which of the following situations would looking at a pedigree be most useful?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A pedigree would be most useful in situation D, where three young boys who are first cousins show symptoms of a neurological disorder. Pedigrees are diagrams that show the pattern of inheritance of a genetic trait or disease within a family. In this situation, looking at a pedigree would help determine if the neurological disorder is inherited and if so, the mode of inheritance (such as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked, etc.) which would be useful in making a diagnosis and determining appropriate treatments or genetic counseling. Pedigrees would not be as helpful in the other situations listed.

In Which of the Following Situations Would Looking at a Pedigree