DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PHENOTYPE AND GENOTYPE
PHENOTYPE
The phenotype refers to physical appearance or characteristics of an individual.
- It is sum of observable characteristics of an organism and is expression of the genes of an individual.
- We can observe one’s eye color, hair color, height, etc. but cannot look at genes responsible for these characters, so the observable physical appearance is the phenotype while the unnoticed genes responsible for such characters present in the DNA of cell of the individual is called genotype.
- The phenotype is influenced by the genotype and other factors such as epigenetic modification and environmental factors including lifestyle factors.
For example, skin color of an individual. Our genes control the amount and type of melanin produced in the body, however, exposure to UV light in sunny climates causes the darkening of existing melanin which results in darker skin.
GENOTYPE
It refers to genetic makeup/composition/characteristics of an organism. It is the hereditary composition in the form of gene in DNA and remains same throughout the life. Mutation is exception.
- The term genotype was coined by the Danish geneticist Wilhelm Johannsen.
- The genotype is among one of the three factors which determines the phenotype of an organism, the other two are environmental factors and other inherited epigenetic factors.
- Therefore, it is not compulsory that the same genotype will get expressed in the next generation; they may get influenced due to the environment and other factors. For example, there is a slight difference in all organisms even if they belong to the same species.
- Genotype is responsible for physical look, what we call phenotype. However, due to the change in the environmental conditions and other physiological and morphological changes linked with the ageing may result in the change of the phenotype.
Key Differences–
It is summarized here-
Particulars Genotype Phenotype Definition Genetic composition of an organism which are responsible for a particular trait It is sum of an organism’s observable characteristics and is expression of the genes of an individual Observable? It is the hereditary composition in the form of gene in DNA and is not observable Observable physical look is the phenotype Depends on what? The gene sequences an organism possesses Genotype, epigenetics and environmental factors Inherited? Partly inherited Not inherited Environmental effect? Not affected by environmental factors Affected by environmental factors Changes Remain same throughout the life of an individual It might change, for example, hair color Example Genes encoding eye color, combination of allele responsible for particular trait. An individual with brown eyes, hair color, blood group etc. seen.
Read more…
WHAT IS CHROMOSOME- AN OVERVIEW
TYPES OF CHROMOSOME-STRUCTURE&DEFINITION
HOMOLOGOUS CHROMOSOMES-AN OVERVIEW & FUNCTION
LINKAGE AND CROSSING OVER-AN OVERVIEW
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GENE AND ALLELE
MENDEL’S LAW OF INHERITANCE
CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
Nice short notes bhaiya
Thanks Rahul. you may share the link and material, if you found it useful.