Education: Genotype and Phenotype in Children

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Differences
The Implications For Special Educators
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

The genotype refers to the combination of various alleles of a particular gene, while the phenotype refers to the physical characteristics that show the combination of the alleles in a person’s genes (Batshaw, Pelligrino, and Rozien 5). A genotype cannot be determined by looking at an individual, but the phenotype can be determined since it is reflected in the physical characteristics. For a genetic disorder to occur, there must be a genetic error. Genetic disorders occur because of mutations, or in case a child inherits a defective gene from one of the parents. A child can also develop a genetic disorder due to exposure to certain environmental factors that increase the likelihood of the development of the disease, such as radiation (Batshaw, Pelligrino, and Rozien 6). This paper will look into the differences between the genotype and the phenotype, as well as implications for educators.

Differences

There are chances that two people having the same genetic disorder can have differing genetic makeup. On the other hand, a person can be a carrier of a gene that causes a particular genetic disorder, thus; he or she does not develop the symptoms of the abnormality. However, he or she can pass on the genes to the offspring. These differences result from the inheritance of genes that lead to one having a homozygous genotype of a heterozygous genotype. The person can develop a genetic disorder because they have inherited two alleles that are responsible for the disease from both parents. A child can also show symptoms of the disease if only one dominant allele is passed to them from the parent (Batshaw, Pelligrino, and Rozien 21).

Genetic disorders caused by a recessive allele can only be manifested in the phenotype if the child has inherited two recessive alleles from the parents. Those diseases caused by dominant genes are expressed physically when a child inherits a dominant gene. In the case of disorders caused by a dominant gene, children with the same genetic disorder can have the same phenotype, but different genotype. This difference comes from the children having either two dominant genes or one gene. However, the two kids will show signs of the disease (Batshaw, Pelligrino, and Rozien 6).

The other difference is the fact that some disorders are not a result of inheritance, but of the interaction of genes with the environmental factors and changes in the genetic makeup. Some genotypes that lead to clinical disorders can also contribute to different phenotypes, and this is because of the different environments. For example, pyloric stenosis is a result of both genetic and environmental causes. Epigenesis can also lead to abnormalities, even though there are no changes in the DNA sequence. In such a case, a child can have the phenotype symptoms of an anomaly, but their genotype does not have the genes responsible for the disease (Batshaw, Pelligrino, and Rozien 62).

The Implications For Special Educators

Special educators learn that children with the same disorders could have different genotypes, and, for this reason, a friendly environment should be provided to children with disabilities. They can also help parents of these children to understand the diseases, hence providing better care and improving their lives. Understanding the differences between children having the same abnormality enables educators to understand that the idea of disability is not only a biological issue but it also has a social component. Knowing that each of these children is unique helps in providing the proper social environment as well as improving our attitude towards them (Batshaw, Pelligrino, and Rozien 10).

Conclusion

Genetic disorders can be the results of different factors ranging from inherited to genetic mutations or environmental factors. The relationship between the named factors can contribute to the differences in the phenotype and genotype of people with genetic disabilities. This interaction makes the issue of genotype and phenotype complex since it does not only involve genes being passed on from parents.

Works Cited

Batshaw, Mark, Louis Pelligrino and Nancy Rozien. Children with Disabilities. Baltimore, Maryland: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company, 2013: 1-80. Print.

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Education: Genotype and Phenotype in Children

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