Biology
Confusing Genotype and Phenotype
Using genotype to mean the visible trait, or phenotype to mean the gene combination.
Quick check
Why students make it
Both terms describe an organism's traits and sound similar, so their meanings get swapped.
The rule done right
Genotype is the set of alleles an organism carries, like . Phenotype is the observable trait those alleles produce, like brown eyes.
Related resources
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Genetics and Heredity Infographic -
Biology: Multiple Alleles and Blood Types Infographic -
Biology: Mendel's Laws of Inheritance Infographic -
Biology: Dihybrid Crosses Infographic -
Biology: Reading a Pedigree Infographic - Punnett Squares & Probability Genetics Cheat Sheet
- Genetics & Mendelian Inheritance Cheat Sheet
- Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium Reference Cheat Sheet
- Genetics: Punnett Squares and Inheritance Worksheet
- Genetics: Dominant and Recessive Traits Worksheet
- Science: Genetics and Heredity Worksheet
- Science: DNA Structure and Protein Synthesis Worksheet
- Genetics & Punnett Square Calculator Tool
- Blood Type Compatibility Tool Tool
- Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium Calculator Tool
- Population Genetics Explorer Tool
- Mendelian Genetics & Punnett Square Lab Lab
- Hardy-Weinberg & Natural Selection Lab Lab
- DNA to Protein & Mutation Lab Lab