In: Biology
How do phonotypes, genotypes, and entire genomes interact to determine patterns of phenotypic evolution?
Phenotype includes all observable traits in an organism. The genetic make up of an organism is indicated by the genotype. All the genes together constitute genome in an organism. Natural selection and sexual selection are important factors in determinig evolution of a species. The individuals show varrying fitness is associated with combinations of phenotypes. These phenotypes definitely have a heritable gentic basis.However selection act on phenotype, irrespective of the fact that whether or not the traits themselves are heritable. Selection of the fittest individual will occur on the course of time that is called evolution. Thus genotype and phenotype relationship play a key role in determining patterns of phenotypic evolution by determining how selection act at the level of phenotype is transmited tp evolutionary changes at genotypic level.
Biological differences in individuals or phenotypic variations causes natural selection forces to operate which may give rise to cumulative genetic changes and thereby evolution.