What is a genetic cross involving one trait called?

A genetic cross involving one trait is called a monohybrid cross. This type of cross examines the inheritance of a single trait by looking at the alleles contributed by each parent. In a monohybrid cross, two organisms that differ in just one characteristic are mated, allowing researchers to track how that trait is passed on to the offspring.

In this context, the term "monohybrid" specifically refers to the emphasis on only one trait, often represented by a pair of contrasting alleles (for instance, a tall plant vs. a short plant, typically represented by T and t). The resultant genotype and phenotype ratios can be predicted based on the principles of Mendelian inheritance.

Understanding monohybrid crosses is fundamental in genetics, as they serve as the foundation for more complex genetic analyses, such as dihybrid crosses, which involve two traits. Dihybrid crosses examine the inheritance of two traits simultaneously and require tracking multiple alleles, while the options that reference polygenic traits or cross-pollination do not align with the definition of a genetic cross focused on a single trait.