What is a phenotype?

A phenotype refers to the observable characteristics or traits of an organism, which result from the interaction of its genetic makeup (genotype) with the environment. These traits can include physical features such as height, eye color, or leaf shape in plants, as well as certain behaviors. The phenotype is essentially how the genetic potential of an organism is expressed in the real world.

This definition distinguishes phenotype from other biological concepts, such as genotype, which only represents the genetic makeup itself. The ability of an organism to adapt to its environment is more related to ecological and evolutionary concepts rather than the direct expression of its traits. Additionally, changes in allele frequencies over time describe processes like evolution and natural selection, which are separate from the definition of a phenotype itself. Thus, identifying phenotype with the actual, expressed features of an organism encapsulates what the term truly means in biology.