genotype

Term: genotype

Literally meaning: “genome type”

Origin: Anc Greek

γενεά/ genea(=generation) > γεννώ/geno (=birth to) >

+τύπος/typos(=type, form, shape, appearance) > τύπτω/typto(=hit, stamp)

Coined/History

In 1905 by the Danish botanist Wilhelm Johannsen 1857-1927) who also created the terms of “phenotype” and “gene” based on his studies on bean plants.

Definition

Genotype is defined as the the genetic constitution of an organism but usually the term refers to  a specific genetic loci responsible for a phenotypic character .