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A phenotype is a set of features that define a given organism, including a human being. It concerns both the physical features of the appearance and the morphology, as well as the internal structure of the organism. Many interesting facts are associated with this term, such as the Bombay phenotype or the expansion of the phenotype. Check what is worth knowing about the phenotype.
A phenotype is defined as a set of all features of a given organism, including a human being. These are both physical features, such as body structure, color, height, and the morphology of a given organism and its genes (i.e. genotype). Although each individual’s genotype is individual and constant, the phenotype may change. The changes in phenotype are influenced by various factors, e.g. environmental, i.e. climate. Phenotypic therapy was based on the phenotype concept. Its task is, inter alia, cleansing the body, eliminating inflammation and preventing the development of many dangerous diseases.
The phenotype is considered to be a set of features that are characteristic of every living organism. Therefore, they define not only humans, but also, for example, animals and plants.
In the case of humans, their phenotype includes the following features of their external appearance:
- eye color,
- hair color,
- the shape of the ear and nose,
- the shape of the feet.
The phenotype also determines our body structure. Thus, it takes into account height, weight, anatomy (structure and arrangement of internal organs) and physiology (vital signs and morphology).
Our phenotype is determined in part by our genotype, but also by the environment we live in. The human phenotype is influenced by weather conditions, diet, stress, etc.
In animals, the phenotype is eye color, coat length and color.
Bombay phenomenon
The Bombay phenomenon concerns the Bombay blood phenotype. This term refers to a very rare blood type that was only discovered in the middle of the 0th century in a patient from India. It is about blood group 0 (in the ABXNUMX system). Its characteristic feature is the lack of the H antigen, which can be found in all known blood groups.
Interestingly, in Europe, and therefore also in Poland, no patients with the Bombay blood phenotype, ie one without the H antigen, have been reported. It is extremely rare even in Asia, where it is found once in 10 people.
Extended phenotype
The concept of an extended phenotype was introduced by Richard Dawkinson. It was a British biologist who stated in one of his works that the evolution of species does not only concern a species or a single organism that lives under certain conditions. According to him, evolution concerns even one gene that uses other individuals for its development, also from other species, and thus affects the features of their phenotypes.
An example of such an extended phenotype are flukes, i.e. parasites of the digestive system, e.g. snail. When attacked by a parasite, these snails can form a very strong shell, which is thicker than a typical shell formed by the same individuals living without this parasite.
The phenotypic diet is also known as the metabolic diet. It is built on the basis of a person’s metabolic code. We can get to know him during examinations and tests diagnosing food intolerances.
It turns out that our body’s unwanted reactions to some food products are caused by the phenotype. Eliminating these groups of products allows you to avoid troublesome food allergies.
Benefits of phenotypic therapy
Phenotypic therapy is completely personalized and tailored to the characteristics of our body. Therefore, it enables the best diet and cleansing of the body for us. A diet consistent with our phenotype is put together by a dietitian after performing the above-mentioned tests.
According to experts, a phenotypic diet is the best way to cleanse the body. Importantly, when using it, chronic inflammation disappears and the body’s immunity improves.
Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of a given genotype to create different genotypes. The plasticity of the phenotype is influenced, among others, by environment. It concerns various organisms, especially plants, which adapt quickly to the environment. They can even change their morphology, structure and physiology depending on sunlight or attacks from herbivores.
In animals, it is easiest to develop phenotypic plasticity among invertebrates. An example of this is, for example, some aphids, which can develop wings when they have to leave a leaf that has too many of them.