Genotype
A genotype refers to the specific genetic makeup of an individual, consisting of the alleles inherited from their parents. It determines various traits, such as eye color or susceptibility to certain diseases. Each individual has two alleles for each gene—one from each parent. The combination of these alleles constitutes the genotype, which can be dominant, recessive, or a mix. While the genotype is the genetic blueprint, the observable traits arising from it, influenced by the environment, are referred to as the phenotype. Essentially, the genotype sets the potential for characteristics that may or may not be expressed.
Additional Insights
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A genotype is the specific genetic makeup of an organism, which includes the combination of genes inherited from its parents. It determines various traits, such as eye color and susceptibility to certain diseases. While the phenotype describes the observable characteristics resulting from the genotype and environmental influences, the genotype is more about the underlying DNA sequence. Essentially, it's like a blueprint for an organism's biological features, guiding how traits are expressed, but not always revealing them directly, as some characteristics may be hidden or influenced by other factors.