Before we start, you must know about dominant and recessive genes. A dominant gene is the stronger gene. The recessive gene is the weaker gene. The only way to get the recessive gene is if both parents have the recessive gene. If there is a hybrid, and there are two of each gene, the dominant gene is the one that shows up.

The Punnett Square was created by Reginald C. Punnett to have a chart in order to show possible gene combinations of two organisms.

To start on a Punnett square, you take the pairs of chromosomes in the gametes from both parents. Let's make one square, with roses as parents. This will be with one gene type, using the letters "R" and "W". The "R" represents the dominant gene for red flowers, and the "W" represents the recessive gene for white flowers. First, you make a square. In order to decide how many inner-squares you need, and you do this in powers of 2. If you have 1 gene, like in this instance, the square will be 2¹ by 2¹. If the Punnett square has 2 different genes, then you have a square with 2² by 2² dimensions, also known as 4 by 4. Then you put the "R" and "W" in the places like the figure on the right.


Then, in order to fill out this square, you take the combination of one letter from one side, then combine it with a letter from the other side. The "R"s on the top left, and the left top combined to make a double "R" gene. This will make the flowers red. Fill out the rest of the square in your mind, and then scroll down!





So if you finished the Punnett square, it would turn out like this!

When you are done, please try out our Punnett Square game!