Here's a breakdown:
* Alleles: Different versions of a gene. For example, a gene for eye color might have an allele for brown eyes and an allele for blue eyes.
* Genotype: The specific combination of alleles an individual possesses for a particular gene. For example, someone could have two alleles for brown eyes (BB), one allele for brown eyes and one for blue eyes (Bb), or two alleles for blue eyes (bb).
* Phenotype: The observable characteristics of an organism, which are determined by its genotype. So, the phenotype for eye color could be brown, blue, or even a combination of both.
Example:
Let's say brown eyes are dominant (represented by "B") and blue eyes are recessive (represented by "b").
* Genotype: Bb
* Phenotype: Brown eyes
Even though the individual has one allele for brown eyes and one for blue eyes, the dominant brown eye allele masks the recessive blue eye allele, resulting in brown eyes.
Therefore, the phenotype is the outward expression of a trait, and it's determined by the interaction of the alleles in an individual's genotype.
