Differences between Genotipo-Fenotipo
Contents
Comparison Article[edit]
In genetics, the terms genotype and phenotype refer to different aspects of an organism. An organism's genotype is its complete set of genetic material, which is inherited from its parents.[1][2] The phenotype is the organism's observable characteristics, resulting from the interaction of its genotype and the environment.[3][4]
The distinction between these two concepts is fundamental to the study of heredity and evolution. A genotype consists of the specific versions of genes, called alleles, that an individual possesses.[5] These can be categorized as homozygous, where both alleles for a gene are the same, or heterozygous, where the alleles are different.[1] The phenotype includes an organism's physical form, developmental processes, and behaviors. While the genotype provides the blueprint for an organism's traits, the phenotype is the physical expression of that blueprint.
Comparison Table[edit]
| Category | Genotype | Phenotype |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | An organism's full set of hereditary information. | An organism's observable characteristics.[3] |
| Composition | The specific alleles an individual carries for a particular gene. | The physical expression of genes, such as morphology and behavior. |
| Inheritance | Directly inherited from an organism's parents.[2] | Influenced by genotype but not directly inherited. |
| Determination | Determined by the genetic information passed from parents.[2] | Determined by the interaction of genotype and environmental factors.[4] |
| Visibility | Not directly observable; requires biological testing to determine. | Directly observable through an organism's appearance and behavior. |
| Examples | The specific alleles for blood type (A, B, O) or eye color. | Hair color, height, and susceptibility to certain diseases. |
Relationship and Environmental Influence[edit]
The relationship between genotype and phenotype is not always direct. Individuals with the same genotype can exhibit different phenotypes, and individuals with the same phenotype do not necessarily have the same genotype. For example, a person with brown eyes (phenotype) could have a genotype that is either homozygous dominant or heterozygous for that trait. Conversely, identical twins, who share the same genotype, may display variations in their phenotypes due to environmental factors.
Environmental conditions can significantly influence how genes are expressed, leading to variations in the phenotype. Factors such as diet, temperature, and exposure to sunlight can alter an organism's physical characteristics. For instance, the feather color of flamingos can change based on their diet, and the coat color of some arctic animals changes with the seasons for camouflage. This ability of a single genotype to produce different phenotypes in response to environmental changes is known as phenotypic plasticity.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "wikipedia.org". Retrieved February 03, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "britannica.com". Retrieved February 03, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "merriam-webster.com". Retrieved February 03, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "genome.gov". Retrieved February 03, 2026.
- ↑ "wikipedia.org". Retrieved February 03, 2026.
