The genetic makeup of an organism is referred to as what?

Prepare for the Science Olympiad Designer Genes Exam with engaging questions and comprehensive explanations. Boost your understanding of genetic principles and excel in your competition!

The genetic makeup of an organism is referred to as the genotype. The genotype encompasses all of the alleles an organism carries, which can include dominant and recessive traits. This genetic information determines various characteristics and is often contrasted with phenotype, which refers to the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism that result from the interaction of the genotype with the environment.

Phenotype represents the expression of the genes in a visible or measurable form, but it is shaped by both genetic factors and environmental influences. The term "chromotype" is not a recognized term in genetics, while "locus" refers to the specific location of a gene on a chromosome, rather than the genetic makeup as a whole. Thus, the strongest and most accurate term for describing the complete genetic constitution of an organism is genotype.

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