Photo AI

Last Updated Sep 27, 2025

Dihybrid Cross Simplified Revision Notes

Revision notes with simplified explanations to understand Dihybrid Cross quickly and effectively.

user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar

415+ students studying

Dihybrid Cross

infoNote

A dihybrid cross is the mating of organisms where two separate genes are studied.

  • A dihybrid cross is a genetic cross where two separate genes are studied simultaneously.
  • This allows us to examine how traits controlled by two different genes are inherited together.

Key Concepts for Dihybrid Crosses:

  1. Each gene has two alleles (dominant and recessive).
  2. Gametes carry only one allele for each gene.
  3. Use a Punnett square to predict the combinations of alleles and resulting offspring.
infoNote

Definition review:

  • An allele is a different form of the same gene.
  • Dominant: where one allele masks the effect of the recessive allele.
  • Recessive: the allele is prevented from working by the dominant allele.

Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

Step 1: Determine the Parent Genotypes

Step 2: Identify Possible Gametes

Step 3: Perform the Cross

Step 4: F1 Generation


Example (a): Homozygous Dominant x Homozygous Recessive

Cross: A pea plant homozygous dominant for both traits (TTPP) is crossed with a pea plant homozygous recessive for both traits (ttpp).

Traits:

  • T = Tall
  • t = Short.
  • P = Purple flowers
  • p = White flowers.

Step 1: Determine the Parent Genotypes

  • Parent 1: TTPP
  • Parent 2: ttpp

Step 2: Identify Possible Gametes

  • Parent 1 (TTPP): Can only produce TP gametes.
  • Parent 2 (ttpp): Can only produce tp gametes.

Step 3: Perform the Cross

TP
tpTtPp

Step 4: F1 Generation

  • Genotype of Offspring: 100% TtPp.
  • Phenotype of Offspring: All offspring will be tall with purple flowers (dominant traits).

Example (b): Homozygous Recessive x Heterozygous

Cross: A pea plant homozygous recessive for both traits (ttpp) is crossed with a plant heterozygous for both traits (TtPp).


Step 1: Determine the Parent Genotypes

  • Parent 1: ttpp
  • Parent 2: TtPp

Step 2: Identify Possible Gametes

  • Parent 1 (ttpp): Can only produce tp gametes.
  • Parent 2 (TtPp): Can produce TP, Tp, tP, and tp gametes.

Step 3: Perform the Cross

TPTptPtp
tpTtPpTtppttPpttpp

Step 4: F1 Generation

  • Genotypes:
    • TtPp, Ttpp, ttPp, ttpp (all equally likely).
  • Phenotypes:
    • Tall and purple.
    • Tall and white.
    • Short and purple.
    • Short and white.
  • Phenotypic Ratio: 1:1:1:1.

Example (c): Heterozygous x Heterozygous

Cross: Two plants, both heterozygous for both traits (TtPp x TtPp).


Step 1: Determine the Parent Genotypes

  • Both parents: TtPp.

Step 2: Identify Possible Gametes

  • Each parent can produce four gametes: TP, Tp, tP, tp.

Step 3: Perform the Cross (Using a 4x4 Punnett Square)

TPTptPtp
TPTTPPTTPpTtPPTtPp
TpTTPpTTppTtPpTtpp
tPTtPPTtPpttPPttPp
tpTtPpTtppttPpttpp

Step 4: F1 Generation

  • Genotypes: Refer to punnett square

  • Phenotypes (Phenotypic Ratio):

    • 9 Tall and Purple.
    • 3 Tall and White.
    • 3 Short and Purple.
    • 1 Short and White.
    • Ratio: 9:3:3:1.
infoNote

Key Points to Remember:

  1. Use Punnett Squares to visualise the crosses.
  2. Phenotypic Ratios: 9:3:3:1 is typical for a dihybrid cross between heterozygous parents.
  3. Ensure all gametes are correctly identified for accurate results.
Books

Only available for registered users.

Sign up now to view the full note, or log in if you already have an account!

500K+ Students Use These Powerful Tools to Master Dihybrid Cross

Enhance your understanding with flashcards, quizzes, and exams—designed to help you grasp key concepts, reinforce learning, and master any topic with confidence!

480 flashcards

Flashcards on Dihybrid Cross

Revise key concepts with interactive flashcards.

Try Biology Flashcards

49 quizzes

Quizzes on Dihybrid Cross

Test your knowledge with fun and engaging quizzes.

Try Biology Quizzes

29 questions

Exam questions on Dihybrid Cross

Boost your confidence with real exam questions.

Try Biology Questions

27 exams created

Exam Builder on Dihybrid Cross

Create custom exams across topics for better practice!

Try Biology exam builder

118 papers

Past Papers on Dihybrid Cross

Practice past papers to reinforce exam experience.

Try Biology Past Papers

Other Revision Notes related to Dihybrid Cross you should explore

Discover More Revision Notes Related to Dihybrid Cross to Deepen Your Understanding and Improve Your Mastery

96%

114 rated

Genetic Inheritance and Genetic Crosses

Classification and Heredity

user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar

221+ studying

182KViews

96%

114 rated

Genetic Inheritance and Genetic Crosses

Genetic Inheritance

user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar

393+ studying

190KViews

96%

114 rated

Genetic Inheritance and Genetic Crosses

Monohybrid Cross

user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar

357+ studying

193KViews

96%

114 rated

Genetic Inheritance and Genetic Crosses

Incomplete Dominance

user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar

288+ studying

180KViews
Load more notes

Join 500,000+ Leaving Cert students using SimpleStudy...

Join Thousands of Leaving Cert Students Using SimpleStudy to Learn Smarter, Stay Organized, and Boost Their Grades with Confidence!

97% of Students

Report Improved Results

98% of Students

Recommend to friends

500,000+

Students Supported

50 Million+

Questions answered