How to Solve a Punnet Square

1. Determine the genotypes (letters) of the parents. Bb x Bb
2. Set up the punnet square with one parent on each side.
3. Fill out the Punnet square middle
4. Analyze the number of offspring of each type.

In pea plants, round seeds are dominant to wrinkled. The genotypes and phenotypes are:

RR = round
Rr = round
rr = wrinkled

If you get stuck make a "key". Sometimes the problems won't give you obvious information. Example: In radishes, a bent root is a dominant trait, though some roots are straight (which is recessive). If a straight rooted plant is crossed with a heterozyous bent root plant, how many of the offspring will have straight roots?

Say what? First of all, this problem doesn't make it easy. Start by assigning genotypes and phenotypes. Pick the letter of the dominant trait. B for bent

BB = bent
Bb = bent
bb = straight		 Now use the key to figure out your parents. In this case you have a straight root plant (bb) crossed with a heterozyous bent plant (Bb). Once you've figured that out, the cross is simple!

 

If a heteroyzous round seed is crossed with itself (Rr x Rr) a punnett square can help you figure out the ratios of the offspring.

SHOW ME! (click to see Punnet Square)

3/4 round, 1/4 wrinkled