Which tool is commonly used to predict the genotypes of offspring?

The Punnett Square is a widely used tool in genetics that allows researchers and students to predict the possible genotypes of offspring resulting from a genetic cross between two parents. By organizing the alleles contributed by each parent on the grid, individuals can visualize all potential combinations of these alleles, which helps to determine the probabilities of different genotypes in the offspring.

This tool is particularly valuable because it not only shows the potential genotypes but also provides a clear representation of the inheritance patterns for traits that may follow Mendelian genetics. It incorporates information about dominant and recessive alleles, making it easier to understand the likelihood of specific traits emerging in the offspring.

In contrast, a phenotype chart generally categorizes observable traits rather than genetic variations, while a genetic map provides information about the positions of genes on a chromosome but does not directly predict offspring genotypes. A genotype table may outline existing genetic combinations but lacks the predictive clarity that a Punnett Square provides. Thus, the Punnett Square stands out as the correct tool for predicting offspring genotypes in genetic studies.