Using Punnett Squares

Using Punnett Squares to Predict Outcomes of Crosses

To learn how Punnett squares work it is

important to understand a few basic ideas
about genes, and gene combinations. It is
also important to understand the meaning of
a few key terms used to describe gene
combinations.

1. Punnett Square
A_____________________________________
Punnett square is a chart used to predict the
possible
gene combinations in the offspring
_____________________________________
that result from a genetic cross.
2. Gene
A gene is a segment of DNA that codes for a
_____________________________________
specific protein.
_____________________________________
3. Trait
An observable characteristic or feature
_____________________________________
_____________________________________

4. Genotype
______________________________________

The genetic make up of an organism. The

______________________________________
genes
an organism has with respect to a
specific trait; usually represented by letters.

5. Phenotype
______________________________________
An observable trait or characteristic. What
______________________________________
an
organism looks like with respect to a

specific trait

6. Dominant
______________________________________
A dominant genes phenotype is
______________________________________
always
displayed when it is present. A
dominant gene masks the affect of a
recessive gene
7. Recessive
______________________________________
A recessive genes phenotype is

only

______________________________________
displayed
when both genes are
recessive. The affect of a recessive
gene is masked by a dominant gene.

When you get stumped or

confused by a question or an
idea, go back to these
descriptive definitions above,
and make sure you
understand the vocabulary!

Every trait or
The gene rule ______________
characteristic results from at
____________________________
least 2 genes. Alleles are two
____________________________
genes that code for the same
____________________________
trait.
1 trait = 2 genes

Gene Relationships
For any given trait, when the genes have a
dominant and recessive relationship, there are 3 different
possible genotypes.
Homozygous Dominant A genotype in which both
_______________________________
(alleles) are dominant.

genes

(pure dominant)
_______________________________

A genotype in which one gene is

dominant and the other recessive.

Heterozygous
_______________________________
(hybrid)

A genotype in which both genes

(alleles) are recessive.

______________________________

Homozygous Recessive
_______________________________
(pure recessive)

This will all be easier to understand if we use a simple example.

This isnt necessarily true: but let us pretend that there are
Red Carnations and White Carnations.

The red color in carnations is dominant over

the white color so the gene relationship is
simple dominance. Letters are used to
represent the genes that code for a trait. An
uppercase letter represents a dominant gene
while a lower case letter represents the
recessive gene.
Let R = red (dominant)
r = white (recessive)

Please write the genotypes and phenotypes of the Carnations

described below.

homozygous dominant
heterozygous
homozygous recessive

genotypes

phenotypes

RR

red
= _______ = _________
Rr
red
= _______ = _________

rr

white

= _______ = _________

Once you know the genotypes the phenotypes are easy

Punnett Squares
A Punnett square is a simple chart that is used to predict
the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring, produced by
a cross between two parents, if the parents genotypes are known.

1. Determine the genotypes of each parent.

(Remember that each genotype is made up of 2
symbols used to represent the genes that code for
a trait)
2. Write the parent genotypes on adjacent sides of
the Punnett Square chart. (The law of segregation
means the alleles must separate so write the
different symbols over different boxes on the
Punnett Square chart.)

3. Combine one gene from the male parent with one

gene from the female parent in each of the
squares in the Punnett Square chart.
(This works just like a multiplication table)

4. Evaluate the Punnett Square. Write down the

fraction or percentage for the genotype and
phenotype of each different offspring in the
Punnett Square.