Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Microbial Genetics

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Microbial Genetics 1. Genotype vs. Phenotype One of the fundamental distinctions in genetics is between genotype and phenotype. Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, the specific combination of genes it possesses. On the other hand, phenotype refers to the observable characteristics of an organism, such as its physical appearance or behavior. While genotype determines phenotype, it's important to remember that not all aspects of the genotype may be expressed in the phenotype. 2. Mutation vs. Polymorphism Both mutation and polymorphism involve changes in the DNA sequence, but they have different implications. A mutation is a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence, often resulting in a change in the phenotype. In contrast, a polymorphism is a variation in the DNA sequence that is present in a population. Unlike a mutation, a polymorphism may not necessarily lead to a noticeable change in the phenotype. 3. Homozygous vs. Heterozygous When it comes to alleles, we have two possibilities: homozygous and heterozygous. Homozygous refers to having two identical alleles for a particular gene, while heterozygous means having two different alleles. This distinction is crucial in understanding inheritance patterns and the likelihood of certain traits being expressed in offspring. 4. Dominant vs. Recessive