DRAW IT A pea plant heterozygous for inflated pods (Ii) is crossed with a plant homozygous for constricted pods (ii). Draw a Punnett square for this cross to predict genotypic and phenotypic ratios. Assume that pollen comes from the ii plant.

Key Concepts

Punnett Square

A Punnett square is a diagram used to predict the genotypic and phenotypic outcomes of a genetic cross. It organizes the possible combinations of alleles from each parent, allowing for a visual representation of inheritance patterns. In this case, it will help determine the ratios of offspring genotypes and phenotypes resulting from the cross between a heterozygous and a homozygous plant.

Genotype and Phenotype

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, specifically the alleles it possesses for a particular trait. Phenotype, on the other hand, is the observable expression of that genotype, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Understanding the difference is crucial for interpreting the results of the Punnett square in terms of both genetic ratios and physical traits.

Mendelian Inheritance

Mendelian inheritance is the set of principles that describe how traits are passed from parents to offspring through alleles. It includes concepts such as dominance, where one allele can mask the expression of another, and segregation, which states that allele pairs separate during gamete formation. This framework is essential for predicting the outcomes of genetic crosses, such as the one described in the question.