Biological Approach: Genotype & Phenotype
Biological Approach - Genotype & Phenotype
The genotype–phenotype distinction is drawn in genetics. Genotype is an organism's full hereditary information, even if not expressed. Phenotype is an organism's actual observed properties, such as development and behaviour. This distinction is fundamental in the study of inheritance of traits and their evolution. It is the organism's physical properties which directly determine its chances of survival and reproductive output, while the inheritance of physical properties occurs only as a secondary consequence of the inheritance of genes.
An organism's genotype is a major influencing factor in the development of its phenotype, but it’s not the only one. Even two organisms with identical genotypes, normally differ in their phenotypes. A person will experience this in everyday life with monozygotic (i.e. identical) twins. Identical twins share the same genotype, since their genomes are identical; but they never have the same phenotype, although their phenotypes may be very similar.
Genotype examples
Genotype is what makes the trait - the information within a gene, or the genetic makeup of a specific organism. Genotype is determined by the makeup of something called alleles, a word that refers to the form of a gene that produces different effects. Genotype is the information contained within two alleles. Genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism and it results in some of the physical characteristics of that organism. Genotypes can only be determined by biological tests, not by observations. Genotype is an inherited trait and hereditary information passed by the parents determines genotype. The entire genetic information about an organism is contained in a genotype – even the characteristics which are not expressed visually.
Examples of; genotype are the genes responsible for:
Eye colour,
Hair colour,
Height,
A person’s shoe size,
Certain diseases,
Spots on a dog’s back.
Phenotype Examples
Phenotype is what you see - the visible or observable expression of the results of genes, combined with the environmental influence on an organism’s appearance or behaviour. For example: It is the expression of gene information which is observable with the senses (like the sound of a bird’s chirping or the colour of a cat’s hair). Phenotype can be determined by mere, simple observation. Examples of; phenotypes are the actual visible characteristics including:
Eye colour,
Hair colour,
Height,
An individual’s shoe size,
Certain types of disease,
Size and shape of the spots on a dog’s back.
