A pedigree diagram is an advanced version of a family tree, commonly used to diagram relationships within family members. It shows how genetic traits and diseases are passed from one generation to the next.
You can use a pedigree diagram to see which family members carry a certain trait, like a widow’s peak. Doctors use them to see how diseases are passed from parents to children. Farmers use it in husbandry to track traits in crops and animals.
In a pedigree diagram, males are represented by squares; females by circles. Shaded symbols mean someone has a specific trait (e.g., dimples). Unshaded symbols mean an individual doesn’t have a specific trait.
Benefits of pedigree diagrams
Pedigree diagrams help doctors identify and diagnose diseases by tracing family history. For instance, if someone has a family history of heart disease, a pedigree diagram can indicate the likelihood of that individual having a heart condition, aiding faster diagnosis and treatment.
In science, pedigree diagrams are useful for understanding how traits are inherited. They reveal patterns, such as dimples passing from father to son in one family or blonde hair skipping a generation. These diagrams make it easier to identify such hereditary patterns across generations.
Create your own pedigree diagram
FigJam is the perfect starting point for building a pedigree diagram. Get started by opening the template and follow these steps:
Step 1:
Add individuals to your pedigree diagram, placing older generations at the top and younger ones below. Males are represented by squares, and females by circles. If you make a mistake, you can easily rearrange symbols in FigJam later.
Step 2:
Connect individuals using lines. A horizontal line represents marriage, while diagonal and vertical lines connect older generations to younger ones, representing descent.
Step 3:
(Optional) Add dates of birth, death, or marriage to help keep track of individuals across generations.
Step 4:
Use symbols to indicate traits. Shaded symbols represent individuals with a specific trait (e.g., a widow’s peak), while unshaded symbols show those without the trait.
Once completed, share your pedigree diagram on FigJam for collaboration and feedback. You can also create a family tree for additional details.
Example of a pedigree diagram
Let’s imagine the Smith family has a history of diabetes, with some family members developing the condition while others do not.
A pedigree diagram can help visualize the inheritance pattern of diabetes, showing how the disease is passed from one generation to the next. By analyzing the diagram, we can predict whether a particular Smith family member has the condition or is likely to develop it in the future.
This visual representation provides a clear understanding of how genetic traits like diabetes are inherited within the family.
