Phenotype

An organism's phenotype refers to the observable traits or characteristics it displays. These include features such as flower color, height, or the shape of its leaves.

However, phenotypes are not limited to visible traits—they also include less obvious features like blood type, enzyme activity, or resistance to certain diseases.

The phenotype is determined by two factors. First, the organism’s genotype, the set of alleles the organism has for a certain gene, and environmental factors like sunlight, temperature, and nutrients.

For instance, two plants with identical genotypes can grow to different heights if one has plenty of sunlight and water while the other grows in a shaded, nutrient-poor area.

Another example is human height, which is determined by genetics but influenced by environmental factors like nutrition and exercise.

In certain cases, environmental factors significantly influence phenotypes, like animals changing fur color in winter or plants adapting leaf size during droughts.