Phenotypes and Genotypes

Characteristics that are obviously displayed, such as eye color, are called phenotypes to distinguish them from traits that are carried genetically but not displayed. These latter we call genotypes. If both brown-eye and blue-eye genes are present in a baby, he will have brown eyes because brown eyes are dominant and blue eyes are recessive. Among recessive characteristics are blond and red hair, baldness, and susceptibility to poison ivy. Some dominant char­acteristics include dark hair, curly hair, and even immunity to poi­son ivy.