Phenotype and genotype are terms used to differentiate the genetic composition of an organism and the way in which this composition can be expressed. Sometimes they can be confused but in reality there are marked differences that distinguish them, to understand it better let’s see the meaning of each one.
Genotype and phenotype – definition
Genotype
It is the set of genes that an organism carries inside. It is basically all the genetic information found within the DNA.
The genotype determines the type of traits that can be observed in the phenotype . For example, the genotypic traits of organisms are those that determine their weakness in the face of a certain disease.
Furthermore, the sex of the organism is determined due to the genotypic variant of the XX and XY chromosomes. Although the genotype defines some characteristics, there are factors such as the environment that also determine these characteristics.
The genotype is what determines the conditions and traits with which people are born. Successive generations in these organisms will also include these characteristics. It is important to emphasize that each organism has only one kind of genotype .
Although there are exceptions, such as in the case of identical twins, although even in these cases different phenotypic characteristics may be present even with a similar genotype.
phenotype
When the genes are coupled, the genotype is expressed in observable characteristics, it is then that we speak of the phenotype and its expressions are called phenotypic .
The phenotypes are hereditary, although their expression also depends on environmental factors. It turns out that the environment can influence to some extent the role that genes play. In a nutshell, the expression of genes that have been modified by environmental factors results in a phenotype.
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 observing its phenotypic characteristics.
In conclusion, the concepts genotype and phenotype are not used in an absolute way, but are used to partially describe and explain the characteristics of organisms. In fact, when you search for answers in books or even if you search for “difference between genotype and phenotype” on Yahoo you will discover that the similarities in concepts are the same.
Key Differences Between Phenotype and Genotype
Genotype has to do with the genetics and inherited traits of an organism, while phenotype refers to the physically observable characteristics of said organism and also has to do with environmental factors.
The genotype largely determines what the final phenotype of an organism is.
The genotype works internally, while the phenotype is the external expression of the internal process (and the environmental factors that arise).
Difference Between Homozygous and Heterozygous
HOMOZYGOTE is the coding of a gene when the alleles that code for it in the individual are exactly the same.
HETEROZYGOTE is the coding of a gene when the alleles that code for it in the individual are different.
Difference Between Dominant and Recessive
The dominant alleles are those that determine the visible characteristics. If there is a dominant and a recessive allele, it will be the dominant one that ‘dominates’. When certain characteristics are visible they are known as a phenotype, while the genetic code behind everything is known as a genotype.
