What is the difference between genotype and phenotype in genetics?

Genotype and phenotype are two fundamental concepts in genetics, which are often used to describe the genetic makeup of an organism and its physical characteristics, respectively.

The genotype of an organism refers to its complete set of inherited genetic information, which is determined by the combination of genes inherited from its parents. This genetic information is responsible for the development of an organism's traits, including physical features, such as eye color, hair color, and height, as well as behavioral traits, such as temperament and intelligence.

The phenotype, on the other hand, refers to the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, which are determined by the interaction between its genetic makeup and environmental factors. Phenotypic traits can be seen as the expression of an organism's genes, which are influenced by various environmental factors such as nutrition, temperature, and exposure to toxins.

In other words, the genotype is the genetic blueprint of an organism, while the phenotype is the result of the interaction between the genotype and the environment.