Final answer:
The term that describes how a genotype can express differently under various environmental factors is called phenotypic variation, contributing to genetic diversity and natural selection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea that a genotype can be expressed in different ways depending on environmental factors is referred to as phenotypic variation. This concept is based on the understanding that while the genotype remains constant, the expression of genes, and therefore the phenotype, can vary due to environmental conditions. It is through this mechanism that a population can exhibit a range of phenotypes from the same genotype, providing genetic variation that is crucial for natural selection and population dynamics.
It's essential to distinguish between a cell's genotype, which is its genetic makeup, and its phenotype, which is the observable characteristics resulting from the expression of the genotype. Environmental factors influence the expression of the genotype in an organism, leading to phenotypic variation. This allows for the prediction of how changes in genotype expressed as phenotype can provide variation that can be subject to natural selection. Therefore, understanding this relationship is integral to population genetics and evolutionary biology.