Question

Jenny has brown hair and blue eyes and is \(5^{\prime} 8^{\prime \prime}\) tall. What is being described is jenny's: A. genotype. B. phenotype. C. somatotype. D. physiognomy.

Short answer

Answer: B. phenotype

Step-by-step solution

Understand the terms

To find the correct term for Jenny's characteristics, it's important to know the meaning of each term provided in the problem: A. genotype: This is the genetic makeup of an individual. B. phenotype: This represents the observable physical and biological traits of an individual that result from the interaction between their genotype and the environment. C. somatotype: This refers to the classification of the body into one of three types - ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph - based on an individual's physique and body composition. D. physiognomy: This is the practice of assessing someone's character or personality from their outer appearance, especially the face.

Analyze the terms and Jenny's characteristics

We need to find the correct term for Jenny's given characteristics - brown hair, blue eyes, and height. These features are all observable physical traits which result from the interaction of her genes and the environment.

Identify the correct term for Jenny's characteristics

Since Jenny's characteristics are related to her observable physical traits, the correct term for her in this case is "phenotype" (Option B). This fits because the phenotype is the closest description of Jenny's characteristics among the given options. Therefore, the correct answer is: B. phenotype.

Key concepts

Genotype

When we talk about genotype, we refer to the complete set of genes in an organism. It's like an instruction manual that defines how an organism is created. Every person receives their genotype from their parents, which is made up of DNA. This genetic blueprint dictates many aspects of how an organism develops, yet it remains hidden inside the cells, not visible to the naked eye.

• Responsible for eye color, height, and other traits.
• Passed down from one generation to the next.
• Can influence susceptibility to certain diseases.

Understanding genotype helps us comprehend why individuals within a species can have similar yet distinct characteristics. However, it's important to note that while genotype provides the potential for traits, the realized traits also depend on environmental factors.

Observable Traits

Observable traits are the characteristics that we can see or measure in an organism. These traits come from the interaction of the genotype and the environment. For example, Jenny’s brown hair, blue eyes, and height are observable traits.

• Color of hair, skin tone, and height.
• Pea plant flower color or seed shape in biology.
• Affected by both genetic makeup and environmental influences.

These are what make each person unique in terms of appearance and sometimes behavior. Understanding observable traits helps us identify and classify organisms in the natural world based on their visible characteristics.

Genetic Makeup

Genetic makeup refers to an individual's entire set of genes, which determine their biological inheritance. It acts as the biological foundation for all traits, whether they are visible or not.

• Comprised of alleles inherited from parents.
• Determines potential characteristics.
• Variations can lead to genetic diseases.

Genetic makeup is crucial to studying genetic diseases, inheritance patterns, and evolutionary biology. While it heavily influences the phenotype, it doesn't determine everything due to environmental interactions that also play a role in how traits are expressed.

Somatotype

Somatotype describes the classification of human body shape and physique into three primary types: ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph.

• Ectomorph: Lean and long, struggles to gain weight.
• Mesomorph: Muscular and well-built, with a high metabolism and responsive muscle cells.
• Endomorph: Higher body fat, often pear-shaped, with a tendency to store body weight.

Somatotyping can help in understanding how body structure affects behavioral traits and health conditions. It’s often used in fitness and nutrition to tailor workouts and diets, though it's important to remember that real-world applications need to consider individual variances and environmental effects.