It is extremely important for the understanding of Genetics to understand the concept in genotype and phenotype. When we analyze an individual, we need to keep in mind that he has characteristics determined by genes and by other factors such as the environment. To the set of these characteristics we call the phenotype. Genes are related to genotype.
→ How can we define the genotype?
Genotype is defined as the genetic makeup of an individual, that is, the set of all genes in that organism. The gene, in turn, can be defined as a specific sequence of nucleotides in the DNA that stores the hereditary information. They present information that will be responsible for a given characteristic.
Each individual has a specific genotype that is made up of genes from their parents and will be maintained throughout the life of the organism. This information is important to differentiate genotype from phenotype, because, while the genotype is not altered, the phenotype can undergo several modifications during the organism's development.
→ Does the genotype always determine the same phenotype?
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The phenotype is defined as the observable expression of the genetic constitution of an individual, that is, it is the set of physical and physiological characteristics of a being. Although the characteristics are determined by the genotype, the phenotype is variable throughout life and also depends on interactions with the environment.
An example of this interaction is hydrangeas. Soil pH directly influences the color of the flower, which can be blue, pink or white, for example. In this case, it is possible to easily verify the action of the environment on that plant, which allows us to conclude that, despite some plants have the same gene for a trait, the environment influences how that trait will be manifested.
It is also worth noting that different genotypes can determine the same phenotype. This is due to the fact that some allelyou they have a relationship of complete dominance with others, and their presence, even in heterozygosis, is sufficient for the formation of a certain phenotype.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SANTOS, Vanessa Sardinha dos. "What is a genotype?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/biologia/o-que-e-genotipo.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
