phenotype

(noun)

Any observable characteristic of an organism, such as its morphological, developmental, biochemical or physiological properties, or its behavior.

Related Terms

Examples of phenotype in the following topics:

  • The Role of Biology

    • Typically, a person's genotype (genetic makeup) and phenotype (observable traits) are used to determine a person's sex.
    • Scientists have linked a person's 23rd chromosome to the development of a sexed phenotype.

  • Race and Genetics

    • Some anthropologists, particularly those working with forensics, consider race to be a useful biological category as it is often possible to determine the racial category of a person by examining physical remains, although what is actually being identified is the geographical phenotype.

  • Biological Theories of Deviance

    • Now, the conversation about crime and biological explanations focuses more on the relationship between genetics and crime than the relationship between phenotypic features and crime.
    • Because the modern emphasis is on actual genetics rather than phenotypic expressions of genes, stereotyping of individuals with "criminal" traits or propensities is more difficult.

  • Legal Definition of Race

    • This debate is concerned with the legitimacy of the government using known phenotypical or genotypical characteristics tied to the presumed race of both victims and perpetrators.

  • Race

    • Race has been used as a classification system to categorize humans in a variety of ways: as large and distinct populations, as groups distinguished by phenotype (observable traits and behaviors), and as groups of differing geographic ancestry and ethnicity.

  • Race Relations in Mexico: The Color Hierarchy

    • The color hierarchy is utilized for more than simply classifying people based on their phenotypical traits, or physical appearance.