Genotype
The genotype isspecific genetic makeup (the specific genome)an individual, usually informDNA. It codes forphenotypethat individual.
Typically, one refersan individual's genotyperegard toparticular geneinterest and,polyploid individuals,referswhat combinationallelesindividual carries (see homozygous, heterozygous). Any given gene will usually cause an observable changean organism, known asphenotype. The terms genotypephenotypedistinctat least two reasons:
- To distinguishsourcean observer's knowledge (one can know about genotype by observing DNA; one can know about phenotype by observing outward appearancean organism).
- Genotypephenotypenot always directly correlated. Some genes only expressgiven phenotypecertain environmental conditions. Conversely, some phenotypes could beresultmultiple genotypes.
- See also: genetics, Genotype-phenotype distinction
