Genotype/phenotype
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Genotype: The genetic constitution of an
individual organism.
Phenotype: The set of observable characteristics of an individual
resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the
environment.
The "internally coded, inheritable information", or Genotype,
carried by all living organisms, holds the critical instructions that are used
and interpreted by the cellular machinery of the cells to produce the "outward,
physical manifestation", or Phenotype of the organism. Thus, all the physical
parts, the molecules, macromolecules, cells and other structures, are built and
maintained by cells following the instructions given by the genotype. As these
physical structures begin to act and interact with one another they can produce
larger and more complex phenomena such as metabolism, energy utilization,
tissues, organs, reflexes and behaviors; anything that is part of the observable
structure, function or behavior of a living organism. (Blamire,
2000)