Understanding Punnett Squares and Inheritance

Punnett squares are a helpful way to see how traits might be passed down from parents to their kids. Let’s break down how they work:

1. Draw Your Square:

   • Start by making a simple 2x2 grid. This will help you show the cross between two parent organisms.
   • Write one parent's alleles (that’s a fancy word for variations of a gene) across the top and the other parent's alleles down the side.

2. Use Letters for Alleles:

   • Use letters to show dominant and recessive traits. For example, you can use “T” for the tall trait (which is dominant) and “t” for the short trait (which is recessive).

3. Fill in the Grid:

   • Now, combine the alleles from both parents in the boxes of your grid. If you’re looking at a cross between two parents that have “Tt” (one tall and one short), fill it in to see the possible combinations: “TT,” “Tt,” and “tt.”

4. Look at the Ratios:

   • After you fill in the grid, count the genotypes (the combinations of alleles) you have. You can predict the ratios, like 1:2:1 for genotypes or 3:1 for the traits you can actually see, called phenotypes.

Using Punnett squares makes it easier to guess what traits the offspring will have and helps you understand how traits are inherited!