Pedigree
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Genetics, pedigrees, and the conditions they explain

Four articles: the six inheritance patterns, how a pedigree becomes a working algorithm, and two real conditions worked through in full.

Genetics basics

The six inheritance patterns

Autosomes, gonosomes, genotype notation, and autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked dominant, X-linked recessive, Y-linked, and mitochondrial inheritance, each with an example pedigree.

Methodology

From pedigree to algorithm

A pedigree is a graph. See how the rule for autosomal recessive inheritance becomes a precise, linear time algorithm, with pseudocode.

Condition deep dive

Duchenne muscular dystrophy

X-linked recessive inheritance, how the loss of dystrophin tears muscle cell membranes, and why that one mechanism shortens life expectancy.

Condition deep dive

Cystic fibrosis

Autosomal recessive inheritance, how a broken chloride channel dehydrates mucus across the whole body, and how treatment has changed survival.

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Use the free tool to map a family tree and check it against all six inheritance patterns.

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