What is the Difference Between Haplotype and Genotype

The main difference between haplotype and genotype is that the genetic material in a haplotype can be at different positions on the chromosome. But, in a genotype, the genetic material is at one position.

Genes are small proteins. These proteins decode what we inherit from our parents. In fact, each individual has a fixed set of genes. But there are variations in these sets from individual to individual. Genetics is the study of genes and heredity. Haplotype and genotypes are two terms that are important in genetics.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Haplotype 
      – Definition, Location, Features
2. What is a Genotype
      – Definition, Location, Features
3. Relationship Between Haplotype and Genotype
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Haplotype and Genotype
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Haplotype, Genotype

Difference Between Haplotype and Genotype  - Comparison Summary

What is a Haplotype

A haplotype refers to a set of genetic variations or differences that are inherited together from one parent. These variations can be located on a single chromosome or multiple chromosomes. Moreover, the term haplotype is derived from the word “haploid,” which refers to cells with only one set of chromosomes, and “genotype,” which refers to the genetic makeup of an organism. Haplotypes are a subset of genotypes.

Haplotypes are commonly and significantly used in the study of genetic diseases. They are useful in genetic association studies to identify specific genes and variants that may be responsible for susceptibility to disease. For example, a specific haplotype on chromosome 15 is associated with increased type 1 diabetes. A haplotype on chromosome 6 is associated with increased susceptibility to some autoimmune disorders.

Haplotype vs Genotype

Another use of haplotypes is the identification of population groups and to understand human migration patterns. In fact, researchers have identified genetic markers that are unique to certain groups of people by analyzing haplotypes from different populations across the world. For example, the distribution of haplotypes in the European population is different from that of African populations. This data can help trace the migration of humans from Africa to other parts of the world.

Another use of haplotypes is in the field of forensic science. Analyzing the DNA samples at the crime scene can help determine the haplotypes of suspects and compare them with those at the crime scene,

What is a Genotype

A genotype is the genetic constitution of an individual organism; in other words, it is the combination of alleles they possess for a specific gene. A diploid organism either inherits two copies of the same allele or one copy of two different alleles from its parents. A genotype is homozygous at a locus if an individual inherits two identical alleles. Moreover, a genotype is heterozygous at a locus if it possesses two different alleles. Alleles belonging to the same gene are either autosomal recessive or dominant. The dominant allele always expresses itself over the recessive allele in autosomal inheritance. Some examples of genotypes are hair colour, height, and eye colour.

Compare Haplotype and Genotype - What's the difference?

Furthermore, genotyping is the process of identifying and determining the differences in the genotype of an individual. In addition, these genotypes function as a set of instructions for the growth and development of the body. Genotypes are also useful in predicting inheritance traits, identifying genetic disorders, assessing the risk for diseases, genetic counselling, evolutionary studies, and agriculture and animal breeding.

Relationship Between Haplotype and Genotype

  • Haplotypes are a subset of genotypes.
  • While a genotype includes all of an individual’s genetic information, a haplotype only refers to a subset of that information.

Difference Between Haplotype and Genotype

Definition

A haplotype is a set of genetic variations or differences that are inherited together from one parent, while a genotype is the genetic constitution of an individual organism or the combination of alleles they possess for a specific gene.

Location

The genetic material in a haplotype can be at different positions on the chromosome, but in a genotype, the genetic material is at one position.

Variation

Haplotype always refers to a set of alleles on a single chromosome, whereas genotype can refer to the specific variation of a single gene or the entire set of the genetic makeup of an individual.

Inheritance

Haplotypes are passed down from parent to child as a single unit, while genotypes are determined by the combination of alleles inherited from each parent.

Importance

Haplotypes are important in studies related to genetic association and tracing human immigration patterns, whereas genotypes are important in predicting inherited traits, identifying genetic disorders, assessing the risk for diseases, genetic counselling, personalized medicine, evolutionary studies, and agriculture and animal breeding.

Conclusion

Haplotype is a group of genes within an organism that was inherited together from a single parent, whereas genotype is the genetic constitution of an individual organism or the combination of alleles that they possess for a specific gene. The main difference between haplotype and genotype is that the genetic material in a haplotype can be at different positions on the chromosome, but in a genotype, the genetic material is at one position.

Reference:

1. “Genotype.” Biology Online.
2. “Haplotype / haplotypes.” Scitable by Nature Education.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Parsimony-based-haplotype-networks-using-CR-sequence-data-for-a-A” By Kimberly A. Tenggardjaja, Brian W. Bowen, and Giacomo Bernardi – Kimberly A. Tenggardjaja et al. “Reef Fish Dispersal in the Hawaiian Archipelago: Comparative Phylogeography of Three Endemic Damselfishes” Journal of Marine Biology doi:10.1155/2016/3251814 (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Punnett hetero homoblue” By Purpy Pupple – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

About the Author: Lakna

Lakna, a graduate in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, is a Molecular Biologist and has a broad and keen interest in the discovery of nature related things. She has a keen interest in writing articles regarding science.

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