1. What is a Punnett Square?

A Punnett square is a diagram that is used to predict the genotype and phenotype combinations of offspring from parental alleles. It's a fundamental tool in genetics that illustrates Mendelian inheritance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic probability formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Probability of target genotype
• \( F \) — Number of favorable genotype combinations
• \( T \) — Total possible genotype combinations (always 4 for monohybrid crosses)

Explanation: The calculator generates all possible allele combinations from two parents and counts how many match your target genotype.

3. Importance of Punnett Squares

Details: Punnett squares are essential for predicting inheritance patterns, understanding genetic disorders, and planning breeding programs in agriculture.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter genotypes using letters (e.g., Aa, BB). Dominant alleles are typically uppercase, recessive lowercase. The calculator is case-insensitive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between genotype and phenotype?
A: Genotype is the genetic makeup (e.g., Aa), while phenotype is the physical expression (e.g., brown eyes).

Q2: How do I represent incomplete dominance?
A: Use different letters (e.g., CR for red, CW for white flowers in snapdragons).

Q3: Can this calculator handle dihybrid crosses?
A: This version handles single-trait (monohybrid) crosses. For two traits, a 4×4 Punnett square is needed.

Q4: What about sex-linked traits?
A: For sex-linked traits (on X chromosome), you'd need to include gender in the calculation (e.g., X^AX^a × X^aY).

Q5: How accurate are Punnett square predictions?
A: They predict probabilities, not certainties. Actual results may vary due to random segregation of chromosomes.