Explain what information you understand the best. Explain the difference between genotype and phenotype. What strategy helped you remember genotype vs phenotype? How can mutations be harmful or beneficial (explain)?
I understand the difference between genotype and phenotype very well. Genotype refers to an individual's specific genetic makeup or the specific sequence of nucleotides in their DNA. It is the genetic information that an individual inherits from their parents. Phenotype, on the other hand, refers to the physical or observable traits of an individual, such as eye color, height, or disease susceptibility.
The strategy that helped me remember the difference between genotype and phenotype is to think of genotype as the "genetic code" or the underlying instructions, while phenotype is the "physical expression" of those instructions. Genotype is like the blueprint and phenotype is like the building that is constructed based on that blueprint.
Mutations can be harmful or beneficial depending on the specific changes they introduce to the genetic code. Harmful mutations can lead to genetic disorders, diseases, or other health problems. For example, a mutation in the BRCA1 gene can increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. On the other hand, beneficial mutations can provide an advantage to an individual, such as increased resistance to certain diseases or improved ability to adapt to environmental changes. For example, a mutation that confers resistance to malaria can be beneficial in regions where the disease is prevalent. Overall, mutations play a key role in driving evolution by introducing genetic diversity and contributing to the adaptation of populations to their environment.