Genetic Cross - GCSE Biology Definition

A genetic cross is a way to understand how traits are passed from parents to their offspring. In GCSE Biology, it usually involves looking at how alleles, which are different forms of a gene, come together when organisms reproduce. Scientists use a tool called a Punnett square to predict the combinations of alleles the offspring might inherit from the parents. This helps us learn why some traits appear in the offspring and others don't. For example, in pea plants, you might perform a genetic cross to see how the colour of the flowers or the shape of the seeds is inherited.