If two heterozygous tall pea plants are crossed, what percent of the offspring will probably be short?

When two heterozygous tall pea plants are crossed, their genotypes can be represented as Tt (where T represents the tall allele and t represents the short allele). The possible combinations of alleles for the offspring can be determined using a Punnett square, which illustrates how gametes combine.

For the cross of Tt x Tt, the Punnett square will show the following combinations:

• TT (homozygous tall)

• Tt (heterozygous tall)

• Tt (heterozygous tall)

• tt (homozygous short)

By counting these combinations, we see:

• 1 TT (tall)

• 2 Tt (tall)

• 1 tt (short)

This results in a ratio of 3 tall plants to 1 short plant. Therefore, when calculating the percentage of offspring that will likely be short, you take the number of short plants (1) out of the total number of plants (4), giving you a 25% chance.

This information confirms that the correct answer is that 25% of the offspring will probably be short. The other percentages provided do not align with the classic Mendelian inheritance pattern observed in this genetic scenario.