What is a genotype?
Q: What is a genotype?
A: A genotype is the genetic constitution of an organism, mainly its genome.
Q: What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?
A: Genotype describes inherited genetic traits, whereas phenotype describes the observable physical and behavioral traits resulting from a combination of genotype and environment.
Q: Who invented the terms genotype and phenotype?
A: The terms genotype and phenotype were invented by Wilhelm Johanssen.
Q: What is the purpose of the genotype-phenotype distinction?
A: The genotype-phenotype distinction distinguishes between inherited and environmentally produced variation.
Q: Why was the genotype-phenotype distinction not a new concept?
A: The concept of inherited versus environmentally produced variation had been previously discussed by Francis Galton, among others.
Q: Are all aspects of the phenotype determined by heredity?
A: No, not all aspects of the phenotype are entirely determined by heredity. Some aspects, such as eye color and blood types, are almost entirely influenced by genetics.
Q: Is the capacity to learn and speak a language inherited or environmental?
A: The capacity to learn and speak a language is entirely inherited, but which language is spoken is entirely learnt, and hence is environmental.
