What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

The distinction between genotype and phenotype is a fundamental concept in genetics. Genotype refers to the specific genetic makeup of an organism, which includes the alleles present at particular gene loci. It serves as the blueprint for an organism's potential traits, determining how genes are expressed.

On the other hand, phenotype is the observable physical attributes or characteristics of an organism that result from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. This encompasses traits such as height, color, and shape, which can be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

This understanding clarifies that while genotype lays the groundwork for physical traits, phenotype is the manifestation of those genetic instructions, often shaped by external influences. Therefore, identifying genotype as the genetic structure and phenotype as the physical attributes captures this relationship accurately.