What is Genotype _ It’s Meaning and Definition A set of alleles that determines the expression.
What is Genotype _ It’s Meaning and Definition A set of alleles that determines the expression.
Contents [hide]
What is Genotype? – Meaning & Definition
Definition of Genotype:
A genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, represented by a set of alleles that determine specific traits. It refers to the combination of genes inherited from both parents.
Simple Meaning:
A genotype is the collection of genes (DNA code) inside an organism that influences how traits (like eye color, height, or disease resistance) are expressed.
Key Points About Genotype:
Made up of Alleles – Genes exist in different forms called alleles (e.g., dominant & recessive).
Determines Physical & Biological Traits – Though the phenotype (observable traits) results from both genotype & environment.
Expressed as Letters – Example: BB, Bb, or bb for eye color (where B = brown, b = blue).
Example of Genotypes:
BB – Homozygous Dominant (Brown eyes)
Bb – Heterozygous (Brown eyes, but carrying blue allele)
bb – Homozygous Recessive (Blue eyes)
Difference Between Genotype & Phenotype
| Feature | Genotype | Phenotype |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Genetic makeup | Physical traits |
| Example | BB, Bb, bb (eye color genes) | Brown or Blue eyes |
| Influence | Inherited from parents | Affected by genes + environment |
Importance of Genotype in Science & Medicine
Used in Genetics & Heredity Studies
Helps in Disease Prediction (Genetic Disorders like Sickle Cell Anemia, Cystic Fibrosis)
Key in Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering
Would you like more details on dominant & recessive traits, or how genotypes impact health?
Here’s a clear and concise explanation of Genotype:
What is Genotype?
Definition:
The genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism. It refers to the specific set of alleles (forms of a gene) that an individual carries, which determines their traits or characteristics — whether those traits are visible (expressed) or not.
Meaning in Simple Words:
A genotype is like the instruction manual written in DNA. It tells the body how to build and operate, influencing things like eye color, blood type, height, and even disease resistance.
Scientific Definition:
The genotype is the set of alleles an organism possesses at a particular gene or set of genes. These alleles influence the phenotype (the observable traits).
Example:
Let’s take eye color as an example:
- Allele for brown eyes: B
- Allele for blue eyes: b
Possible genotypes:
- BB → Brown eyes
- Bb → Brown eyes (dominant)
- bb → Blue eyes
So, two people can have the same phenotype (brown eyes) but different genotypes (BB or Bb).
Genotype vs. Phenotype
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Genotype | Genetic code (invisible) | Bb (for eye color) |
| Phenotype | Physical expression (visible trait) | Brown eyes |
Summary:
The genotype is the set of genes or alleles that an organism inherits from its parents, which determines the potential traits the organism can express.
Let me know if you’d like a diagram or practice questions to reinforce this concept!
