What is a Punnett Square used for?

A Punnett Square is a graphical representation used to predict the probability of different genotypes resulting from a genetic cross between two organisms. It serves as a tool for understanding how alleles (gene variants) from each parent can combine in offspring, allowing for the estimation of the likelihood of various traits appearing in the next generation.

By arranging the possible gametes from each parent along the top and side of a square, one can fill in the grid to show all potential combinations. This leads to insights into dominant and recessive traits, as well as the ratios of phenotypes and genotypes that may arise from the breeding experiment. Thus, it is an essential instrument in genetics for forecasting the outcomes related to specific traits based on parental genetic contributions.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of biology or population studies that do not align with the core utility of a Punnett Square, which is fundamentally about genetic predictions rather than counting organisms, measuring mutations, or observing species distribution.