What does a pedigree chart represent?

A pedigree chart represents the inheritance patterns in a family, illustrating how traits or genetic conditions are passed down through generations. It visually displays family relationships and indicates which family members express particular traits or genetic disorders, often highlighting dominant and recessive inheritance patterns. By examining a pedigree, individuals can track how traits are inherited and assess the likelihood of occurrence in future generations.

The other options mention aspects such as the genetic makeup of an organism, which pertains more to the individual level rather than familial patterns. Phenotypic traits focus on observable characteristics rather than the overarching inheritance patterns. Environmental factors, while influential in the expression of traits, are not represented in a pedigree chart, which primarily conveys genetic lineage and inheritance.