define genotypes and phenotypes QuickChek what is an allele
Genotypes and phenotypes are terms used in genetics to describe different aspects of an organism's genetic makeup.
Genotype refers to the specific combination of alleles (alternative forms of a gene) present in an individual's DNA. It represents the genetic information that an organism carries, including both the dominant and recessive alleles.
Phenotype, on the other hand, refers to the physical characteristics or traits that are expressed as a result of the interaction between an organism's genotype and its environment. It represents the observable traits of an organism, such as its appearance, behavior, and physiological features.
An allele is one of the different versions or forms of a gene that can exist at a specific location on a chromosome. Alleles are responsible for the variations in traits observed within a population. For example, the gene responsible for determining eye color may have different alleles, such as blue, brown, or green. Individuals can have two copies of the same allele (homozygous) or two different alleles (heterozygous) for a particular gene.