What type of chart uses symbols to show the inheritance patterns of a trait in a family over many generations?

A pedigree chart is a diagram that visually represents the inheritance patterns of traits within a family across multiple generations. It utilizes symbols to denote individual family members, and lines to indicate relationships, such as marriages and offspring. This helps in tracing the lineage and determining how a specific trait is passed down through generations, allowing for the identification of carriers of genetic conditions.

In a pedigree, males are often represented by squares and females by circles, with filled symbols indicating the presence of a trait, while unfilled symbols denote its absence. This structured format enables geneticists and researchers to analyze familial connections and assess the likelihood of heredity-related traits appearing in future generations.

Other types of charts mentioned serve different purposes: a genetic map illustrates the locations of genes and the distances between them on chromosomes; a dihybrid chart is used to show the probability of inheritance of two traits; and a phenotype chart presents observable traits but does not typically show familial relationships or inheritance patterns as effectively as a pedigree.