What is a monohybrid cross?

A monohybrid cross specifically examines the inheritance of a single trait, making it a fundamental concept in genetics. In this type of cross, one pair of contrasting traits for a single characteristic is studied. For example, when crossing two pea plants that differ in one trait, such as flower color (purple vs. white), a monohybrid cross focuses solely on that one characteristic while keeping other traits constant.

This concept is crucial because it helps illustrate basic principles of inheritance, such as dominant and recessive alleles, and the typical 3:1 phenotypic ratio observed in the offspring of a monohybrid cross between two heterozygotes. Understanding this foundational aspect of genetics lays the groundwork for studying more complex crosses involving multiple traits or other nuances of inheritance.