Genotype, Phenotype, and Environmental Influences

Phenotype

• Refers to both physical and psychological characteristics (e.g., hair color, extraversion).
• Cannot be perfectly predicted solely from genes; environmental experience significantly contributes.

Genotype to Phenotype Process

• DNA information is transcribed to RNA.
• RNA is translated into amino acids.
• Amino acids assemble into proteins.
• Proteins develop phenotypic characteristics.

Genetic Expression

• Gene activity ("turned on" to assemble proteins) is affected by the environment.
• Environmental Influences:
  • Hormones (can turn genes on/off; flow affected by light, day length, nutrition, behavior).
  • Stress.
  • Exposure to radiation.
  • Temperature.