DIHYBRID CROSS

- is a cross of two contrasting traits between parents.

For example, each parent has two sets of genes, with each gene containing alleles for hair color and eye
color. For the hair color, the allele for black hair (A) is dominant over the allele for blond hair (a). For the eye
color, the allele for brown eyes (B) is dominant over the allele for blue eyes (b).

PROBLEM: A father has black hair (Aa) and brown eyes (Bb), and the mother has black hair (Aa) and brown
eyes too (Bb). Both are heterozygous for the two traits. What are the phenotypic and the genotypic ratios?

To find out the answer, follow the steps below:

1. Identify the genotypes and phenotypes of the parents. Father - AaBb ( heterozygous black hair (Aa) and
heterozygous brown eyes (Bb) Mothet - AaBb ( heterozygous black hair (Aa) and heterozygous brown eyes
(Bb)
2. Determine the possible gamete combinations. You can use the FOIL method.

Father - AB, Ab, aB, ab

Mother- AB, Ab, aB, ab

3. Write the possible gamete combinations of the parents on the top and on the left side of the
Punnett square.

4.Pair the gametes inside the boxes.

5. Write the phenotype on each box.

6. Identify the genotypic and phenotypic ratios.

GR= 1AABB:2AABb:1AAbb:2AaBB:4AaBb:2Aabb:1aaBB:2aaBb:1aabb (1:2:1:2:4:2:1:2:1)
PR= 9 black hair and brown eyes:3 black hair and blue eyes:3 blonde hair and brown eyes:1
blonde
hair and blue eyes (9:3:3:1)
NOTE:
In dihybrid cross, if the parents are both heterozygous - the genotypic and phenotypic ratio has
a pattern.
For genotypic ratio (1:2:1:2:4:2:1:2:1)(take a look at the pattern in the punnett square below:
 For phenotypic ratio (9:3:3:1)(take a look at the pattern in the punnett square below:

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