Biology

Explain the difference between Genotype and Phenotype

Phenotype and genotype are widely used terms, which are used to differentiate the genetic makeup of an organism and the way in which this composition is expressed. There are interesting differences between these two concepts and we will see what they are below.  Explain the difference between Genotype and Phenotype

GENOTYPE    Explain the difference between Genotype and Phenotype

Genotype refers to the actual set of genes that an organism carries within. It is all the genetic information found in DNA.

Basically, it is determines the type of traits that can be observed in the phenotype. For example, the genotypic traits of organisms are those that determine their susceptibility to a certain disease .

It is the genotypic variation between the XX and XY chromosomes that determines the sex of the organism. It is important to clarify that although the genotype determines certain characteristics, environmental factors are also important.

A person’s condition and the traits they are born with are determined by their genotype. Successive generations of these organisms will also include these characteristics. Each organism has only one kind of genotype. One can only speak of exceptions in cases of identical twins, but even in these cases, different phenotypic characteristics may occur; although they have a similar genotype.

PHENOTYPE

When the genes that make up the genotype are expressed in observable characteristics, then we are talking about the phenotype and these expressions are called  phenotypic.

The phenotypes depend on the genes that are inherited, however, their expression is also influenced by environmental factors. The influence of the environment modifies to some extent the role played by genes. In short, the expression of genes, modified by environmental factors, results in a phenotype.

Previously we said that the genotype determines how susceptible an organism is to a certain disease, because in this case, the phenotype would represent the observable aspects of said disease. Symptoms related to that disease.

In the case of genotypic variation between the XX and XY chromosomes, when we look at the physical differences between a man and a woman; we are looking at its phenotypic characteristics.

To conclude, the genotype and phenotype concepts are not used in an absolute way; rather, they are used to partially describe and explain certain characteristics in organisms.

Differences between them

  1. The genotype has to do with the genetics and inherited traits of an organism, while the phenotype refers to the physically observable characteristics of that organism and also has to do with environmental factors.
  2. The genotype largely determines what the final phenotype of an organism is.
  3. The genotype works internally, while the phenotype is the external expression of the internal process (and of the environmental factors that arise).
Mohammad Asif Goraya

M A Goraya has qualification of M.phil in Agricultural Sciences. He has almost 15 years of teaching Experience at college and university level. He likes to share his research based knowledge with his students and audience.

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