What does a Punnett square illustrate?

A Punnett square is a tool used in genetics to predict the possible combinations of alleles that offspring might inherit from a genetic cross between two parents. By representing the parental genotypes along the top and side of a grid, the Punnett square allows for a systematic way to determine the probability of each genotype that could result from the parental alleles.

The correct answer highlights the purpose of the Punnett square, which is to show how different traits can be passed on based on dominant and recessive alleles during reproduction. It helps geneticists and biologists visualize and calculate potential genetic outcomes for a particular mating scenario, making it a fundamental concept in Mendelian genetics.

The other options do not accurately reflect the main function of a Punnett square. For example, while energy requirements for reproduction and fertilization methods in different species pertain to reproductive biology, they are not the focus of a Punnett square. Similarly, although genetic mutations can play a role in inheritance, they are not illustrated by a Punnett square, which specifically addresses the inheritance of known alleles rather than mutation events.