Genotypes and Phenotypes

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What is a genotype?

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A genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, represented by the alleles it possesses.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

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What is a phenotype?

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A phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, determined by its genotype.

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What does homozygous mean?

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Homozygous refers to having two identical alleles for a particular gene (e.g., BB or bb).

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What does heterozygous mean?

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Heterozygous refers to having two different alleles for a particular gene (e.g., Bb).

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What is a dominant allele?

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A dominant allele is an allele that expresses its trait even when only one copy is present in the genotype.

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What is a recessive allele?

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A recessive allele is an allele that only expresses its trait when two copies are present in the genotype.

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How are dominant alleles represented?

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Dominant alleles are represented by capital letters (e.g., B for brown hair).

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How are recessive alleles represented?

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Recessive alleles are represented by lowercase letters (e.g., b for blonde hair).

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What are alleles?

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Alleles are alternative forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome.

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What is the difference between homozygous dominant and homozygous recessive?

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Homozygous dominant has two dominant alleles (e.g., AA), while homozygous recessive has two recessive alleles (e.g., aa).