In a dihybrid cross, how many possible combinations can occur?

In a dihybrid cross, two traits are being considered, each typically represented by two alleles from two parents. For example, let’s say one trait is represented by alleles A and a, and the second trait by B and b. Each parent can contribute one of two alleles for each trait.

To determine the total number of possible combinations of these alleles in the offspring, you can use the formula (2^n), where (n) is the number of traits being examined. Since a dihybrid cross involves two traits, you substitute (n) with 2, thus calculating (2^2).

This results in (2^2 = 4) combinations contributed by each parent. Since there are two parents (each contributing combinations of alleles), the total number of combinations for the offspring is found by multiplying the two contributions: (4 (from , parent , 1) \times 4 (from , parent , 2)), which equals 16.

This means there are 16 different allele combinations that can result from a dihybrid cross, confirming that the correct answer is indeed 16. As such, the appropriate understanding of segregation and independent