A genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, specifically the set of alleles or variants an individual carries at a particular gene or genetic location (locus) in the genome

. It represents the specific information encoded in the DNA at that position, which can be symbolized by letters such as BB, Bb, or bb, indicating different alleles inherited from the parents

. In diploid organisms like humans, each gene has two alleles-one inherited from each parent. If both alleles are the same, the genotype is homozygous; if different, it is heterozygous

. The genotype influences an organism's phenotype, which is the observable traits or characteristics such as eye color or flower color in plants, although phenotype can also be affected by environmental factors

. In summary, a genotype is the specific genetic constitution of an organism at one or more loci, determining potential traits and inherited characteristics