16
Phenotype
Phenotype refers to the visible expression of the information contained in a person’s genetic code (known as genotype). This includes whatever can be measured or observed of a person’s physical, psychological and biological makeup. Phenotype is not just a function of your genes though – many of the characteristics of a
person that are observable are the result of the combination of what is inherited and the environment. For example, a person may have the genotype for depression but because the family was very loving, happy and well adjusted, the person never develops the symptoms of depression.
