Define the term genotype.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Definition of Genotype**: The term "genotype" refers to the genetic makeup of an individual organism. It encompasses the specific alleles (versions of a gene) that an individual possesses.

2. **Genetic Composition**: Genotype can be described as an individual's collection of genes, which determine various traits and characteristics. This includes both dominant and recessive alleles.

3. **Example of Genotype**: To illustrate, consider the trait of plant height. A plant may exhibit a phenotype of being tall. The genotype responsible for this trait can be homozygous (e.g., TT) or heterozygous (e.g., Tt). Here, "T" represents the dominant allele for tallness, while "t" represents the recessive allele for shortness.

4. **Homozygous vs. Heterozygous**:
- **Homozygous**: If the genotype is homozygous (TT), the individual has two identical alleles for the trait.
- **Heterozygous**: If the genotype is heterozygous (Tt), the individual has one dominant allele and one recessive allele.

5. **Recessive Genotype**: If both alleles are recessive (tt), the plant would exhibit the phenotype of being short.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the genotype is crucial for understanding the genetic basis of an organism's traits and can be represented by combinations of alleles.

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