Punnett Squares

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What is a Punnett Square?

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

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What are alleles?

Back

Alleles are different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome.

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What does homozygous mean?

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Homozygous refers to having two identical alleles for a particular gene (e.g., AA or aa).

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What does heterozygous mean?

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Heterozygous refers to having two different alleles for a particular gene (e.g., Aa).

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What is a genotype?

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

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What is a phenotype?

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

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What is the purpose of a Punnett Square?

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The purpose of a Punnett Square is to visualize and calculate the probability of different genotypes and phenotypes in offspring.

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What does it mean if an allele is dominant?

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A dominant allele is one that expresses its trait even when only one copy is present (e.g., A in Aa).

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What does it mean if an allele is recessive?

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A recessive allele is one that only expresses its trait when two copies are present (e.g., aa).

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How do you determine the missing allele in a Punnett Square?

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To determine the missing allele, look at the known alleles of the parents and the offspring to deduce the possible combinations.