In a Punnett square, what is demonstrated by the alleles of the parents?

In a Punnett square, the alleles of the parents are used to demonstrate the possible genotypes of their offspring. Each parent contributes one allele for a given trait, and the Punnett square visually represents all the possible combinations of these alleles. This allows for the prediction of genetic outcomes based on the specific alleles carried by each parent. The intersections in the grid show the potential genotype combinations that can occur when these alleles segregate during gamete formation and fertilization.

While the other options might relate to aspects of heredity or patterns observed through Punnett squares, they do not accurately describe what is illustrated through the use of parent alleles in the square itself. The focus is on genotype possibilities, which includes all possible combinations that can arise given the parental genotypes.