Gamete vs Genotype

Each individual is composed of chromosomes that help in determining, for starters, their gender. In fact, these days, should couples want to have a baby, they try to check with the OB and consider the genes of each parent. There is a higher chance that the possible pregnancy would produce a male baby or a female baby, based on some genetic study. This is the topic for this article, what a gamete is and a genotype, and how both are different from the other.

To properly give the differences between a gamete and a genotype, it would be better to start out with a proper definition that would be easily understood by a layman. What does each term mean? A brief background on what each term represents would make it easier to understand, as both terms seem like ‘technical jargon’ upon hearing them. Basically, a gamete and a genotype denote talk about reproduction. These terms are inter-related in many ways, as both terms also tackle genetics or heredity as well.

What is a Gamete?

A gamete is a sex cell. It is a reproductive cell that would unite during sexual mating. A male cell, which is called a sperm, would unite with a female cell, which is called an egg, or ova. This is done during sexual production, which would become a zygote, the union of a male and female gamete.

A gamete is produced by cell division, and this process is called meiosis. During meiosis, the gamete is considered a haploid. A haploid means having only one set of chromosomes. Upon sexual production, when the male gamete and the female gamete become a zygote, the haploid would now become a diploid. A diploid means having two sets of chromosomes.

What is a Genotype?

A genotype is the genetic makeup of a cell. It is basically your complete heritable genetic identity. It is unique for each individual, even if they are identical twins. Then again, genotype is more on the genetic makeup of the organism wherein phenotype is the physical expression of the genes. Chromosomes are expressed in a pair of letters, called alleles. The allele pairs are:
– RR = dominant trait
Rr = co-dominant trait
rr = recessive trait

These are just sample variables, so do not be confused. Different letters describe different traits. This piece is presenting what pairs and variables look like so you would have an idea what they represent should you read something similar in the future.

To summarize, when you use the term gamete, it refers to a newly created organism from the union of a male sperm cell and a female egg. The term genotype, on the other hand, refers to the specific ‘genetic’ characteristics and heritable genetic identity that newly created ‘life’ would possess.

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup, composition, or structure of a specific organism.
Gamete refers to the cell. It can be a male cell. It can be a female cell. So the term ‘gamete’ alone can either be an ovum, which is the female gamete. The term ‘gamete’ can also be a sperm, which is the male gamete. Once both gametes would unite, it would form a new organism.
The term ‘gamete’ was introduced by Gregor Mendel, who is an Austrian biologist.
Each gamete carries half a genotype, since each gamete (whether this is a male gamete or a female gamete) is a haploid, a single set of chromosomes.
After the union of a male gamete and a female gamete, the organism formed would now be called a ‘diploid’, having two sets of chromosomes.

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