An organism's genotype is the specific set of genes or genetic makeup it possesses. It is represented by the combination of alleles (versions of a gene) inherited from its parents. The genotype determines various traits and characteristics of the organism, although the expression of these traits can also be influenced by environmental factors.
For example, in a simple case of a gene with two alleles, A (dominant) and a (recessive), an organism can have one of three genotypes:
- AA (homozygous dominant)
- Aa (heterozygous)
- aa (homozygous recessive)
The genotype is often distinguished from the phenotype, which is the observable expression of traits resulting from the genotype and environmental influences.
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