Problem Solving with Pedigrees

"Imagine that you are a genetics counselor. The pedigree shown illustrates the inf=heritance of albinism in 3 generations of a family you are counseling. A couple from the family have come to you for advice about how the trait is interited." Your task is to determine whether the allele for albinism is dominant, recessive, or sex-linked inheritance.

1) Label each person on the pedigree with their gender (M or F) and phenotype for pigmentation (normal or albino) (worth 15 pts).

2) Please answer the following questions about the pedigree for the family that asked:

Could this be a dominant trait? Explain why or why not? (worth 2 pts)

Could this be a recessive trait? Explain why or why not? (worth 2 pts)

Could this be a sex-linked trait? Explain why or why not? (worth 2 pts)

3) Which of the 3 types of traits is albinism most likely? (based on all you know from genetics and the outcomes of this pedigree...worth 2 pts)

4) Label the genotypes (NN, Nn, or nn) for all individuals. If the genotype can be 2 different ones , then put a "?". (worth 15 pts)

5) The couple that entered your office included the male on the bottom left of the pedigree. His wife had normal pigmentation. He has asked if he is carrying the gene. What would you tell him? (2 pts)

6) He asked if he can pass it on to his children. What would you tell him? (2 pts)

7) He has said that he absolutely will not have children if there is a chance one will have the albinism disorder. What would you suggest to the couple? (2 pts)