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Definition

noun, plural: genotypes

noun

(genetics)

(1) The entire set of genes in an organism.

(2) A set of alleles that determines the expression of a particular characteristic or trait (phenotype).

(zoology)

The genetic makeup of an individual or taxon.

Supplement

The genotype refers to the entire set of genes in a cell, an organism, or an individual. A gene for a particular character or trait may exist in two allelic forms; one is dominant (e.g. A) and the other is recessive (e.g. a). Based on this, there could be three possible genotypes for a particular character: AA (homozygous dominant), Aa (heterozygous), and aa (homozygous recessive).

Word origin: Greek genos, race + Latin typus, type.

Related forms: genotypic (adjective), genotypically (adverb).
Related phrases: genotype frequency.

Compare: phenotype.