A phenotype is the collective sum of the observable or measurable chemical, physical, behavioral or developmental characteristics an organism shows. It becomes established through a combination of environmental factors and genetic encoding. Professionals often look at this set of traits for the purpose of grouping or classification, despite the fact that it is not always constant.
Definition
People typically refer to a phenotype as the entire set of characteristics that an organism has that are measurable or observable, or that individuals can see or prove in some way. It is extremely difficult to describe a phenotype completely, simply because there are so many traits that living things show. For this reason, most of the time, people usually talk about one using only a small number or part of what appears, such as pointing out that an person has brown eyes or a specific blood type. Technically, it is not proper to refer to these individual parts as a phenotype, although individuals sometimes do.
Very strictly, this term applies only to physical or chemical factors. Some professionals, however, expand the definition to include behavioral and developmental elements, as well, because people can see an organism changing, growing or performing different activities, just as they can note height or a number of limbs. When two creatures look very similar, it is often these traits that become distinguishing.
Relationship to Genotype
Closely related to the phenotype is the genotype, which is the collective set of information found in an organism's genetic code. This data controls a host of cell and body functions and, subsequently, affects many of the observable characteristics something has. In fact, people have figured out that they can manipulate traits by influencing genetic sequences. Perhaps the best example of this comes from the groundbreaking work of Gregor Johann Mendel, a 19th-century friar who experimented with pea plants to create hybrids with specific appearances and qualities. In many cases, it is possible to make some conclusions about genetic issues based on part of a phenotype, such as when medical professionals note the unique facial structure associated with trisomy 21, better known as Down Syndrome.
Most scientists say that a phenotype is the set of traits that are physically expressed from the presence of dominant genes. Under this view, it is not really possible to separate genetics from observable and measurable characteristics, and the way that genes interact or combine becomes extremely important in statistically determining the odds that a trait will be seen. Researchers do not ignore non-genetic factors, however.
Influence of Environment
Even though genetics determines a lot of what shows up in a phenotype, most experts accept that the environment plays a part, too. A person who goes out in the sun a little too often, for instance, might develop freckles. Someone who loses or gains weight as a result of changes to diet and exercise is another good example.
Although most researchers acknowledge that what people can observe is not entirely genetically based, it often isn't clear exactly what effects particular environmental factors have on the characteristics in a phenotype. Many of the chemicals people use in foods and general manufacturing haven't been available or studied long enough to determine the benefits or drawbacks, for instance. To make the issue even more complex, no two organisms necessarily react the same way, because everything has a slightly different genotype. It can be hard to tell whether a trait is the result of genes, what's around the organism or both, but the understanding that environment does have some influence has led to a wide range of studies and has opened the door to complex questions, such as whether people with certain characteristics are fated to live in a particular way.
Use in Classification and Grouping
Experts often use phenotypes to classify or group something, or to make some assumptions about its functions and history. If a creature has hair, for example, it is probably a mammal. Similarly, if a person has extremely fair skin, they likely descend from people who lived further away from the equator where there is less sunlight. This practice falls naturally into regular physical, chemical or behavioral study, because part of the standard scientific method is to make observations and apply them during analysis.
Constancy
A big issue when relying on phenotypes for classification and grouping is that, even if the underlying genetic code involved does not change, what someone sees is not necessarily static. A person can alter their natural hair color with dye, for example, or they can use plastic surgery, tattoos, piercings to change how they look. Trauma such as accidents also can change appearance and behavior, as can medications and general aging. An entire field of psychology is dedicated to behavior modification, or changing what someone does. Whether an organism belongs to a particular group, therefore, is something that professionals constantly have to reevaluate.