Final answer:
There are two potential crosses that could produce a homozygous recessive (cc) offspring: a cross between two homozygous recessive parents (cc x cc) or between a homozygous recessive and a heterozygous parent (Cc x cc). Mendelian genetics and Punnett squares help determine possible genotypic outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question focuses on understanding the possible genetic crosses that could produce a homozygous recessive parent (cc) in the context of Mendelian genetics.
Considering that the homozygous recessive parent is a product of its previous generation, we can hypothesize its parents' genotypes.
Two potential crosses could produce a homozygous recessive (cc) offspring: cross between two homozygous recessive parents (cc x cc), or a cross between a homozygous recessive parent (cc) and a heterozygous parent (Cc).
Each of these crosses involves different combinations of recessive alleles and could produce the homozygous recessive phenotype.
Furthermore, using a Punnett square, if we cross a homozygous recessive cc with a heterozygous Cc, there is a 50% chance to produce a homozygous recessive offspring (cc).
Conversely, crossing two homozygous recessive individuals (cc x cc) would always result in a homozygous recessive offspring (cc).
Mendelian genetics demonstrates that inheritance follows predictable patterns and that the genotypic and phenotypic ratios can be calculated when the genetic composition of the parents is known.