Punnett Squares, Traits, and Genetic Material

A Punnett Square is a diagram used to predict the outcome of a genetic cross by showing the possible combinations of alleles from the parents.

A phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, determined by its genotype and environment.

A genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, represented by the alleles it possesses.

Heredity is the passing down of traits from parents to their offspring.

Dominant traits are traits that are expressed in the phenotype even if only one allele is present.

Recessive traits are traits that are only expressed in the phenotype if two copies of the allele are present.

Homozygous means having two identical alleles for a trait, while heterozygous means having two different alleles for a trait.

Being heterozygous for a trait means having one dominant allele and one recessive allele.

A trait is a specific characteristic of an organism, such as eye color or height.

DNA carries the genetic information that is passed from parents to offspring, determining their traits.