Explain the difference between genotype and phenotype. What strategy helped you remember genotype vs phenotype? How can mutations be harmful or beneficial (explain)? In one paragraph with 5-6 sentences
Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, which includes all the genes and DNA sequences inherited from its parents. On the other hand, phenotype refers to the physical characteristics and traits that are expressed as a result of the interaction between an organism's genotype and its environment. One strategy that helped me remember the difference between genotype and phenotype is to think of "genotype" as the genes (geno) that determine the traits (type), while "phenotype" is the physical expression (pheno) of those genes.
Mutations can be harmful or beneficial depending on their impact on an organism's phenotype. Harmful mutations can lead to genetic disorders, diseases, or decreased fitness, reducing the organism's chances of survival and reproduction. On the other hand, beneficial mutations can confer an advantage, such as resistance to diseases or improved adaptation to the environment, increasing the organism's likelihood of survival and reproduction. Overall, mutations play a significant role in genetic diversity and evolution by introducing variations that can either be detrimental or advantageous to an organism's survival.
now write it like a 7th grader
Genotype is like the instruction manual of your body that you get from your parents, which tells your cells all about your genes. Phenotype is what you actually look like and how you behave, which is like the end result of following the instructions in the manual. A helpful trick to remember the difference is that "genotype" sounds like "gene type" and "phenotype" sounds like "physical type."
Sometimes, mutations can be like little errors in the instruction manual that can cause problems, making you sick or less fit. These are harmful mutations. But other times, mutations can be like superpowers that make you stronger or more resistant to something. These are beneficial mutations. So, mutations can be good or bad, and they can change how organisms survive and change over time.