What genetic cross demonstrates the inheritance of a single trait?

A monohybrid cross specifically involves examining the inheritance of a single trait or characteristic, focusing on the alleles that contribute to that trait. In these crosses, typically one trait is analyzed, such as flower color or seed shape, allowing for a clear understanding of how dominant and recessive alleles are inherited.

In a monohybrid cross, one parent has two dominant alleles for the trait (homozygous dominant), while the other has two recessive alleles (homozygous recessive). The offspring have a predictable ratio of dominant to recessive phenotypes based on Mendelian genetics, often resulting in a 3:1 phenotype ratio in the F2 generation when using a homozygous dominant and a homozygous recessive parent.

This focused approach allows for straightforward tracking of inheritance patterns without the added complexity introduced by examining multiple traits, which is seen in dihybrid crosses. A test cross or back cross, although related to determining the genotype of an organism, do not solely demonstrate the inheritance of a single trait but rather are methods used to analyze genetic diversity or confirm genotypes.