genotype

/ˈʤɛnəˌtaɪp/

Other forms: genotypes

The traits you have inherited are the result of your genotype, the makeup of your specific genes as passed on from your ancestors. As a verb, to genotype refers to the process of mapping the gene structure of an organism.

The root word gene comes from the Greek genea, which means "generation or race." The word genus had been used since the 1550's as a scientific division, and in late 19th Century Germany, the word genotypus was coined to go along with early studies of genetics. This genetic mapping has yielded some interesting results. For example, a recent scientific study found, through genotyping, that the common ancestor of domestic dogs turned out to be Middle Eastern gray wolves.

Definitions of genotype

1. noun

   the particular alleles at specified loci present in an organism
   synonyms: genetic constitution

   type of:

   composition, constitution, make-up, makeup, physical composition

   the way in which someone or something is composed
2. noun

   a group of organisms sharing a specific genetic constitution
   types:

   biotype

   organisms sharing a specified genotype or the genotype (or peculiarities) so shared

   type of:

   biological group

   a group of plants or animals