The Genotype-Phenotype Distinction

The genotype is the set of genetic information a person inherits from their parents—like the instructions in their DNA. The phenotype is how those instructions are expressed in the individual’s physical traits and characteristics, such as eye color, height, or blood type. In simple terms, genotype is the genetic code, while phenotype is the visible result of that code. The environment can also influence the phenotype, meaning that two people with the same genotype might look or behave differently. Understanding this distinction helps explain how our genes and environment shape who we are.