phenotype

[ fee-nuh-tahyp ]

noun

, Genetics.

1. the observable constitution of an organism.
2. the appearance of an organism resulting from the interaction of the genotype and the environment.

phenotype

/ ˌfiːnəʊˈtɪpɪk; ˈfiːnəʊˌtaɪp /

noun

1. the physical and biochemical characteristics of an organism as determined by the interaction of its genetic constitution and the environment Compare genotype

phenotype

/ fē′nə-tīp′ /

1. The physical appearance of an organism as distinguished from its genetic makeup. The phenotype of an organism depends on which genes are dominant and on the interaction between genes and environment.
2. Compare genotype

phenotype

1. The outward appearance of an organism; the expression of a genotype in the form of traits that can be seen and measured, such as hair or eye color.

Derived Forms

• ˌphenoˈtypically, adverb
• phenotypic, adjective

Other Words From

• phe·no·typ·ic [fee-n, uh, -, tip, -ik], pheno·typi·cal adjective
• pheno·typi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenotype¹

< German Phänotypus (1909); pheno-, -type

Example Sentences

"Interestingly, we found that this opioid-seeking phenotype occurs significantly more in males compared to females, and we are currently performing research with our colleagues at UMSOM, to determine why this is the case."

From Science Daily

Most traits you can actually observe — what’s called the organism’s phenotype — result from a unique combination of genes and how those genes are expressed.

From Salon

“And so natural selection sort of optimizes for organisms to converge on that same phenotype.”

From Salon

"Each situation leads to the same phenotype of cancer."

From Science Daily

A person with a given genotype might end up having quite a different phenotype living in the U.K. versus the U.S.

From Science Daily