Fundamentals of Genetics: Punnett Squares

The video tutorial explains how traits are determined by two genes, one from each parent. It introduces the Punnett square, a tool developed by Reginald Punnett, to predict gene combinations in offspring. The tutorial demonstrates setting up and filling a Punnett square using pea plant height as an example, where the female parent is homozygous dominant and the male is homozygous recessive. The offspring are all heterozygous and tall. The video concludes by considering the genetic outcomes of crossing these offspring.

What is the purpose of a Punnett square in genetics?

• To predict the possible genetic combinations in offspring

• To calculate the speed of genetic mutations

• To measure the height of plants

• To determine the age of an organism

Who developed the Punnett square?

• James Watson

• Gregor Mendel

• Charles Darwin

• Reginald Punnett

In a Punnett square, where are the genes of the female parent written?

• At the bottom of the chart

• To the right of the chart

• At the top of the chart

• In the center of the chart

What is the genotype of the offspring when a homozygous dominant tall pea plant is crossed with a homozygous recessive short pea plant?

• Heterozygous

• Homozygous recessive

• None of the above

• Homozygous dominant

What phenotype do the offspring exhibit when a tall homozygous dominant pea plant is crossed with a short homozygous recessive pea plant?

• No phenotype

• Medium

• Tall

• Short