phenotypes
Visible genetic expressions
Phenotypes are the observable characteristics of an organism—its physical traits, behaviors, and other features that result from the interaction between its genes and environment.
Height, eye color, and disease susceptibility are all phenotypes.
The term contrasts with genotype, which is the underlying genetic code: Two plants with identical genotypes may display different phenotypes depending on soil and sunlight.
Variant forms of genes
- dominantHaving superior influence
- recessiveMasked unless paired identically
- expressivityQuality of conveying emotion
- penetranceGenotype-to-phenotype expression ratio
homozygous · heterozygous · polygenic · monogenic · codominance · incomplete dominance · mutant · locus
Study of structural forms
- characteristicsDistinguishing features or qualities
- physiologyScience of bodily functions
- anatomyStudy of organism structure
- pigmentationNatural tissue coloring
coloration · height · eye color · hair texture · skin tone · bone structure · leaf shape · plumage
Good physical shape
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- mimicryAdaptive resemblance to another
climate adaptation · acclimatization · specialization · resistance · tolerance · hardiness · drought tolerance · heat tolerance
Abnormal physical or mental conditions
- syndromesCharacteristic symptom groupings
- congenitalExisting from birth
- symptomsIndicators of disease
- biomarkersMeasurable disease indicators
affected · carriers · severity · onset · manifestation · predisposition · susceptibility · resistance
Many forms, one interface
- diversityState of varied elements
- rangeExtent of variation
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- aberrationDeviation from the norm
anomalies · malformation · distinctiveness · differences · variability · heterogeneity · deviation · divergence
alleles
Variant forms of genes
- dominantHaving superior influence
- recessiveMasked unless paired identically
- expressivityQuality of conveying emotion
penetrance · homozygous · heterozygous · polygenic · monogenic · codominance · incomplete dominance · mutant · locus · linkage
morphology
Study of structural forms
- characteristicsDistinguishing features or qualities
- physiologyScience of bodily functions
- anatomyStudy of organism structure
pigmentation · coloration · height · eye color · hair texture · skin tone · bone structure · leaf shape · plumage · fur pattern
fitness
Good physical shape
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
mimicry · climate adaptation · acclimatization · specialization · resistance · tolerance · hardiness · drought tolerance · heat tolerance · altitude adaptation
disorders
Abnormal physical or mental conditions
- syndromesCharacteristic symptom groupings
- congenitalExisting from birth
- symptomsIndicators of disease
biomarkers · affected · carriers · severity · onset · manifestation · predisposition · susceptibility · resistance · sickle cell
polymorphism
Many forms, one interface
aberration · anomalies · malformation · distinctiveness · differences · variability · heterogeneity · deviation · divergence · plasticity
- geneticsDNA, allele, genes, gene, chromosomes
- local varietiesregional styles, landraces, cultivars, variants, strains
- Sociobiologysociobiology, natural selection, sexual selection, altruism, mating strategies
phenotypesgenotypes
Organisms' full genetic information
genetic code · genome · DNA sequences · genomes · alleles