Basic concepts of population genetics - Bioversity International

Phenotype is …
The description of all traits of an individual as
they concern its morphology, physiology,
ecological relationships and behaviour
At any given time, the phenotype is the result of
the genes of the individual interacting with the
environment
Copyright: IPGRI and Cornell University, 2003 Population genetics 4
Phenotypic differences can be either qualitative (present or absent) or can be
quantitative. Qualitative traits can be classified. Quantitative traits are measured.
Individuals share the same phenotype if they look alike. Some genotypes may have
the same phenotype. The distinction between genotype and phenotype is important
in those traits that are influenced by the environment: two individuals with the same
genotype may result in different phenotypes because of the environment.
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