An organisms genotype is
It physical appearance
It combination of alleles
The mutation it inherits
The crossing over that occurs during meiosis.
An organism's genotype refers to the combination of alleles present in its genetic makeup. Alleles are alternative forms of a particular gene that can give rise to different physical traits or characteristics.
To determine an organism's genotype, you need to examine its DNA or genetic material. This can be done using various techniques such as DNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or other genetic testing methods. By analyzing the DNA sequence, scientists can identify the specific alleles present in an organism's genome.
However, it's important to note that an organism's genotype does not directly determine its physical appearance. Instead, an organism's phenotype, which is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics, is influenced by its genotype combined with environmental factors.
Mutations can occur in an organism's DNA, resulting in changes to its genotype. These changes can affect the function of genes and, in turn, influence an organism's phenotype. Mutations can arise spontaneously or can be inherited from parents.
Crossing over is a process that occurs during meiosis, a type of cell division that produces sex cells (gametes) with half the number of chromosomes. During crossing over, genetic material is exchanged between paired chromosomes, leading to genetic variation. This process further contributes to the diversity of genotypes in offspring.