1. What is a Punnett Square?

The Punnett square is a diagram that is used to predict the genotype and phenotype combinations of offspring from parental alleles. It is named after Reginald C. Punnett, who devised the approach.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Punnett square principle:

Where:

• Parent1 Allele — The genetic alleles from the first parent (e.g., Aa)
• Parent2 Allele — The genetic alleles from the second parent (e.g., aa)
• Offspring — All possible genotype combinations

Explanation: The calculator combines each allele from parent 1 with each allele from parent 2 to show all possible genetic combinations in their offspring.

3. Importance of Punnett Squares

Details: Punnett squares are fundamental in genetics for predicting the probability of offspring inheriting certain genotypes and phenotypes. They help in understanding inheritance patterns and genetic disorders.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the alleles for each parent (e.g., AA, Aa, aa). Capital letters typically represent dominant alleles while lowercase represents recessive alleles.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How do I represent homozygous and heterozygous alleles?
A: Homozygous dominant = AA, homozygous recessive = aa, heterozygous = Aa.

Q3: Can this calculator handle multiple genes?
A: This basic version handles single gene (monohybrid) crosses. For multiple genes (dihybrid), more complex Punnett squares are needed.

Q4: What if parents have different allele lengths?
A: The calculator assumes equal allele lengths. For different lengths, use the first allele from each parent.

Q5: How accurate are Punnett square predictions?
A: They show probabilities, not certainties. Actual results may vary due to random assortment and other genetic factors.