Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Psychiatric Genetics

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Psychiatric Genetics 1. Heritability vs. Heredity The terms 'heritability' and 'heredity' are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different concepts. Heritability is the proportion of phenotypic variation in a population that can be attributed to genetic factors, while heredity refers to the passing of traits from parents to offspring. So, while heritability measures the extent of genetic influence, heredity focuses on the transmission of traits. 2. SNP vs. CNV In the realm of genetic variations, 'SNP' and 'CNV' are frequently encountered. SNP stands for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, which refers to a variation in a single nucleotide base pair. On the other hand, CNV stands for Copy Number Variation, indicating a segment of DNA that is duplicated or deleted. While both are types of genetic variations, they differ in their scale and impact on the genome. 3. Genotype vs. Phenotype Understanding the difference between 'genotype' and 'phenotype' is crucial. Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an individual, the combination of alleles they possess. Phenotype, on the other hand, is the observable characteristics resulting from the interaction of genotype with the environment. While genotype sets the foundation, it's the phenotype that we can see and study. 4. Linkage vs. Association