Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

What is the genotype of an organism?

1. The observable characteristics resulting from environmental interactions

2. The genetic makeup determining an organism's traits

3. The process by which traits are expressed in phenotypes

4. The sum of all genes present in an ecosystem

The correct answer is: The genetic makeup determining an organism's traits

The genotype of an organism refers to its specific genetic makeup, which includes all the alleles present for a given trait or traits. This genetic composition plays a crucial role in determining an organism's characteristics, known as phenotypes, which are the observable traits influenced by both the genotype and the environment. Understanding the genotype is essential in fields such as genetics, biology, and health sciences, as it helps in predicting how traits may be passed on to the next generation and how they may manifest in terms of physical or behavioral traits. The other options do not accurately define genotype. The observable characteristics resulting from environmental interactions describe the phenotype rather than the genotype. The process by which traits are expressed in phenotypes again refers to the interaction between genetic makeup and environmental factors, separate from the actual genetic blueprint itself. The sum of all genes present in an ecosystem touches on ecological genetics but does not define the specific genetic makeup of an individual organism, which is what the term genotype specifically refers to.