What role does the environment play in genetic expression?

The chosen answer highlights the significant role that the environment plays in shaping the phenotypic expression of traits. While an organism's genotype provides the underlying genetic blueprint, the environment can modify how these genes are expressed, leading to variations in physical characteristics, behaviors, and overall fitness.

For example, the expression of traits like height in plants can be influenced by environmental factors such as sunlight, soil quality, and water availability. Similarly, temperature can affect the coloration of certain animals, and nutritional availability can impact health and development. Therefore, environmental conditions can enhance, suppress, or completely alter the traits that are expressed, which demonstrates that phenotype is not solely dictated by genotype but is a product of the interaction between genes and the environment.

This understanding underscores the complexity of genetics and supports the idea that while genes provide the potential for certain traits, their actual manifestation depends on the external circumstances that an organism encounters throughout its life.