A genetic cross where one trait is being examined is called a

• A. Dihybrid cross
• B. Polyhybrid cross
• C. Monohybrid cross
• D. Pedigree

Answer: (C)

Monohybrid cross involves one trait at a time. It compares parents that differ for a single gene, showing how that one characteristic is inherited. For example, crossing true-breeding tall versus true-breeding short reveals offspring that are all tall in the first generation and heterozygous, illustrating how a single gene with dominant and recessive alleles behaves. When two heterozygotes are crossed, you typically see a mix of phenotypes reflecting the single-gene inheritance pattern. This is distinct from a dihybrid cross, which looks at two traits; a polyhybrid cross, more than two traits; or a pedigree, which maps inheritance through a family tree rather than performing a cross.