genotype

American  

[jen-uh-tahyp, jee-nuh-] / ˈdʒɛn əˌtaɪp, ˈdʒi nə- /

noun

Genetics.

1. the genetic makeup of an organism or group of organisms with reference to a single trait, set of traits, or an entire complex of traits.

2. the sum total of genes transmitted from parent to offspring.

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genotype British  

/ ˌdʒɛnəʊtɪˈpɪsɪtɪ, ˌdʒɛnəʊˈtɪpɪk, ˈdʒɛnəʊˌtaɪp /

noun

1. the genetic constitution of an organism

2. a group of organisms with the same genetic constitution

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genotype Scientific  

/ jĕn′ə-tīp′,jē′nə-tīp′ /

1. The genetic makeup of an organism as distinguished from its physical characteristics.

2. Compare phenotype

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genotype Cultural  

1. A combination of alleles situated on corresponding chromosomes that determines a specific trait.

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Usage

What is a genotype? A genotype is the genetic arrangement that makes up the traits that an organism inherited from its parents.Genotype can also mean the entire collection of genes an offspring inherited from its parents.In animals, a material known as DNA acts as the instructions that tell cells what to do. DNA is organized into incredibly long strands. Along these stands are sequences of base pairs that contain instructions to make specific proteins. These packets of instructions are what we call genes.Human beings have around 20,000 genes in their DNA. Most of these genes are identical in all humans. However, several genes can vary from person to person. We call these different genes alleles, which result in the physical differences we can see, such as eye or hair color. An allele is created when the genes that you inherited from your father and ones you inherited from your mother combine. Your genotype is your specific arrangement of alleles that have to do with a certain trait, such as eye color.For example, I have brown eyes. My eye color is a result of my genotype. I inherited eye color alleles from both my father and my mother. My father gave me the alleles for brown eyes (we’ll call this BR), and my mother also gave me the alleles for brown eyes (BR). My genotype, then, is BRBR, which is my two alleles combined together. My cells read these instructions, and this genotype results in me having my brown eyes.

Other Word Forms

• genotypic adjective
• genotypical adjective
• genotypically adverb
• genotypicity noun

Etymology

Origin of genotype

< German Genotypus (1909); gene, -o-, -type

Compare meaning

How does genotype compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• genotype vs. phenotype

Example Sentences

"Instead of expecting one solution to work for everyone, it might be better to consider a variety of factors, including someone's genotype, gut microbiome, gender and age," Lin said.

From Science Daily

"We are also working on climate-resilient apple genotypes that can withstand the existing climate," he says.

From BBC

Scientists interested in evolution or conservation now understand that the genotype more accurately reflects evolutionary relationships.

From Salon

It can be difficult keeping track of all the different short forms used to distinguish one genotype from another so scientists can keep track as the virus evolves.

From Salon

"With multiple genotypes spreading at the same time, people could end up getting infected more than once this season," she added.

From BBC