In a dihybrid cross, how many traits are studied?

In a dihybrid cross, how many traits are studied?

• A. Two traits
• B. One trait
• C. Three traits
• D. Four traits

Answer: (A)

Two traits are studied in a dihybrid cross. This type of cross follows how two different characteristics are inherited at the same time, with each trait typically governed by a different gene that has two alleles. By tracking both traits, you can see how allele combinations from both genes segregate into offspring, which is why dihybrid crosses often illustrate patterns like the 9:3:3:1 phenotypic ratio when both traits show complete dominance. If you were only looking at one trait, that would be a monohybrid cross; examining more traits would involve more complex, multi-trait crosses (trihybrid, etc.).

Two traits are studied in a dihybrid cross. This type of cross follows how two different characteristics are inherited at the same time, with each trait typically governed by a different gene that has two alleles. By tracking both traits, you can see how allele combinations from both genes segregate into offspring, which is why dihybrid crosses often illustrate patterns like the 9:3:3:1 phenotypic ratio when both traits show complete dominance. If you were only looking at one trait, that would be a monohybrid cross; examining more traits would involve more complex, multi-trait crosses (trihybrid, etc.).