Genotype

The genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism. It is the complete set of genes that an organism carries in its DNA. These genes determine specific traits and characteristics, such as eye color, height, and susceptibility to certain diseases.

Genotype Study Guide

1. Genes: Genes are the units of heredity and are responsible for the inheritance of traits from parents to offspring.
2. Alleles: Different forms of a gene, known as alleles, can exist. For example, the gene for eye color may have alleles for blue, brown, or green eyes.
3. Homozygous and Heterozygous: An organism can have two identical alleles for a gene (homozygous) or two different alleles (heterozygous).
4. Phenotype: The phenotype is the physical expression of the genotype. It is the observable traits of an organism, such as hair color or blood type.
5. Punnett Square: A Punnett square is a diagram used to predict the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring based on the genotypes of the parents.
6. Genotype and Environment: It's important to note that the environment can also influence the expression of certain genes, leading to variations in phenotype even with the same genotype.

Understanding genotype is essential for comprehending the principles of inheritance and the transmission of genetic traits from one generation to the next.