Phenotype

The term phenotype refers to the observable physical properties of an organism, encompassing the manifestation of its genetic makeup as well as the influence of environmental factors. The phenotype includes traits such as morphology, development, biochemical or physiological properties, behavior, and products of behavior such as a bird’s nest. It is the composite of an organism’s observable characteristics or traits, resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. This means that the same genotype can produce different phenotypes in different environmental conditions. Phenotypic variation is a fundamental prerequisite for evolution by natural selection and is a key component of the adaptive processes in populations. The study of phenotypes, which can range from the molecular level to the organismal level, is central to the field of biology and can be used to predict the likelihood of certain diseases in humans, to understand patterns of inheritance in genetics, and to observe the effects of environmental changes on living organisms.