You cannot always quickly breed living things (like humans) together just to tell if a gene is dominant or recessive. You cannot always afford a test to get your DNA analyzed either. YOU can afford to use your brain and logical problem solving skills to piece together family history in order to figure out if a gene is dominant or recessive by looking at a family's PEDIGREE CHART.
Just remember:
1. Each parent gives 1/2 of his or her genes to the offspring.
2. If you see a trait SKIP a generation and 2 parents do NOT show the trait that is tracked, the trait is likely a recessive gene and the parents are HETEROZYGOUS for that trait.
Use LInk # 1 below to access the first pedigree practice site:this site allows you to check your work.
The link # 2 involves a more in depth story line where you interview multiple family members to solve a mystery.
Just remember:
1. Each parent gives 1/2 of his or her genes to the offspring.
2. If you see a trait SKIP a generation and 2 parents do NOT show the trait that is tracked, the trait is likely a recessive gene and the parents are HETEROZYGOUS for that trait.
Use LInk # 1 below to access the first pedigree practice site:this site allows you to check your work.
The link # 2 involves a more in depth story line where you interview multiple family members to solve a mystery.