What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

The correct understanding is that genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, which encompasses all the alleles present in an individual's DNA. This genetic information dictates the potential traits that an organism can express. On the other hand, phenotype is the observable expression of those traits, which can include physical characteristics, behaviors, and biochemical properties.

For example, an individual may have a genotype consisting of a specific combination of alleles for flower color in plants. The phenotype would be the actual color of the flowers—whether they are red, white, or any other color dictated by those alleles. Environmental factors can also influence the phenotype, meaning that two organisms with identical genotypes might display different phenotypes under different environmental conditions.

Understanding this distinction is crucial in genetics, as it helps to clarify how genes can influence the characteristics we see in organisms and underscores the relationship between genetic inheritance and observable traits.