Pedigrees and Albinism

What is a Pedigree? A pedigree is a diagram representing family lineage and genetic relationships amongst the members

Pedigree Symbols = normal female = carrier female = affected female =unknown sex = deceased = mating = offspring

Why use a Pedigree? To track and determine inheritance of genetic disorders. Useful in determining patterns of inheritance Dominant Recessive Sex Linked Etc.

Examples of Pedigrees Dominant Recessive

Examples of Pedigrees: Hemophilia In the Royal Family Hemophilia is an X-linked recessive disorder characterized by the inability to properly form blood clots Hemophilia affects males much more frequently (1 in 10,000) than females (1 in 100,000,000). This occurs because a critical blood clotting gene is carried on the X chromosome. Since males only carry one X chromosome, if that is defective, hemophilia will immediately show up. Hemophilia has played an important role in Europe’s history, for it suddenly cropped up in the children of Great Britain’s Queen Victoria. Hemophilia first appeared in Victoria’s family in her eighth child, Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany.

What is Albinism? A group of genetic conditions that causes a lack of pigment Can effect only the eyes (ocular albinism) or both the eyes and skin (oculocutaneous albinism) Most types of albinism are inherited recessively Exception is one type of ocular albinism, which is passed on from mothers to their sons (sex linked) Source: The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation

aLBINIsM In Pop Culture…

Silas - “The DaVinci Code” The Twins -“The Matrix Reloaded” Ali Newman -Emcee Moby Dick – Herman Melville Tombstone – “Spider Man” Connie Chiu – Model

And in The Animal Kingdom…