Descendant

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/descendant

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the biological definition?Descendants are individuals biologically related to ancestors through consanguinity and genetic inheritance
2. How are lineal and collateral descendants different?Lineal descendants are in a straight line from a person—children, grandchildren, and so on. Collateral descendants are relatives who share the same ancestor but are not in that straight line, such as cousins, aunts, and uncles.
3. Why do families keep track of descendants?Families keep track to know who can inherit property, who might inherit a throne, and to understand family history and identity.

Consanguinity: The state of being descended from the same ancestor; blood relationship.
Lineal Descent: A direct line of descent from an ancestor, such as parent to child.
Collateral Descent: Descent from a common ancestor, but not in a direct line; includes siblings and cousins.
Genealogy: The study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history.