Compare and contrast the following terms:
Genotype and Phenotype

The genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, encompassing all the alleles inherited from its parents. It is the specific set of genes that an individual carries, which can influence various traits. Genotypes are often represented using letters, such as 'AA', 'Aa', or 'aa', indicating dominant and recessive alleles. Understanding genotype is crucial for predicting inheritance patterns and potential traits in offspring.

The phenotype is the observable physical and physiological traits of an organism, resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. This includes characteristics such as height, eye color, and behavior. While the genotype provides the potential for certain traits, the phenotype is the actual expression of those traits, which can be influenced by environmental factors. Thus, two organisms with the same genotype may exhibit different phenotypes.

The relationship between genotype and phenotype is fundamental in genetics, as the genotype determines the potential traits an organism can express, while the phenotype is the manifestation of those traits. Environmental factors can modify how a genotype is expressed, leading to variations in phenotype. This interplay is essential for understanding concepts like natural selection and evolution, where certain phenotypes may be favored in specific environments, influencing reproductive success.