Genetic Basis of Traits
Definition
The genetic basis of traits refers to how genes determine physical characteristics or behaviors of an organism.
Analogy
Consider your genes as a recipe book for making you. Each gene is like a specific recipe for something about you - your eye color, hair type, height etc. Just as different recipes result in different dishes, different genes result in different traits.
Related terms
Genotype: This is the genetic makeup of an organism which determines its characteristics.
Phenotype: This is the set of observable characteristics resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
Allele: An allele is one of two or more versions of a gene that are found at the same place on a chromosome.
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