What is the relationship between phenotype and genotype?

The relationship between phenotype and genotype is that phenotype is the physical expression or observable characteristics of an organism that arise from the genotype, which is the organism's genetic makeup. Essentially, the genotype comprises the specific alleles or genes inherited from parents, while the phenotype is how these genes manifest in the organism's traits, such as height, eye color, or enzyme activity.

This connection highlights how genetic variations contribute to differences between individuals in a population. For example, two organisms may have the same genotype but exhibit different phenotypes due to environmental factors or epigenetic influences that can alter gene expression. Moreover, while genotypes remain constant throughout an organism’s life, phenotypes can change over time in response to environmental conditions, demonstrating the dynamic interaction between genetics and the environment in shaping characteristics.

Understanding this relationship is fundamental in genetics, providing insight into inheritance patterns, evolutionary biology, and the basis for various medical conditions that can be influenced by genetic and environmental factors.