Question: what is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

Vicky Forster answered on 22 Nov 2013:

Hello popss!

Good question. Genotype is the actual genetic information carried in an organism, and phenotype is the observable characteristics caused by the genotype. This doesen’t have to just be something you can ‘see’ physically though, like the colour of your eyes or skin. A good less-obvious example is that of brussel sprouts! Whether you like brussel sprouts or not is entirely controlled by your genotype for processing a certain chemical. If you have a genotype which means you can taste the bitter chemical in sprouts really strongly – then when you put them in your mouth, you will find them disgusting (this is the phenotype), if you have a genotype meaning you can’t taste this chemical at all – you might quite like them, as they won’t taste bitter to you.

I hope this helps answer your question!