Question

SpongeBob SquarePants recently met SpongeSusie Roundpants at a dance. SpongeBob is heterozygous for his square shape, but SpongeSusie is round. Create a Punnett square to show the possibilities that would result if SpongeBob and SpongeSusie had children. HINT: Read question #2!



A. List the possible genotypes and phenotypes for their children.

B. What are the percent chances of a child with a square shape?


C. What are the percent chances of a child with a round shape?

Answer 1

To create a Punnett square for SpongeBob SquarePants (who is heterozygous for his square shape, represented here as \( S \) for square and \( s \) for round) and SpongeSusie Roundpants (who is homozygous for round shape, represented as \( ss \)), we can set up the Punnett square as follows:

### Punnett Square

```
| s | s |
---------------------
S | Ss | Ss |
---------------------
s | ss | ss |
```

### A. Possible Genotypes and Phenotypes

- **Genotypes:**
- \( Ss \) (square shape)
- \( ss \) (round shape)

- **Phenotypes:**
- Square-shaped (from genotype \( Ss \))
- Round-shaped (from genotype \( ss \))

### B. Percent Chances of a Child with a Square Shape

From the Punnett square:
- There are 2 squares (out of 4 total) that show the genotype \( Ss \) (square shape).
- Thus, the percentage chance of a child with a square shape is:
\[
\text{Percent chance of square shape} = \left( \frac{2}{4} \right) \times 100 = 50\%
\]

### C. Percent Chances of a Child with a Round Shape

From the Punnett square:
- There are 2 squares (out of 4 total) that show the genotype \( ss \) (round shape).
- Thus, the percentage chance of a child with a round shape is:
\[
\text{Percent chance of round shape} = \left( \frac{2}{4} \right) \times 100 = 50\%
\]

### Summary of Results:

- **Genotypes:**
- \( Ss \): 2 (50%)
- \( ss \): 2 (50%)

- **Phenotypes:**
- Square shape: 50%
- Round shape: 50%

In conclusion, there's a 50% chance that any child of SpongeBob and SpongeSusie will be square-shaped and a 50% chance that they will be round-shaped.