What is a karyotype?

A karyotype is defined as a picture of all chromosomes in a cell, typically organized and displayed in a manner that allows for the identification of chromosome number, structure, and any abnormalities. This visual representation makes it possible to analyze chromosomal characteristics, such as detecting genetic disorders or abnormalities like trisomy or deletions.

While genetic mapping refers to the arrangement of genes and their traits and phenotype describes observable characteristics, these concepts do not specifically relate to the structural visualization of chromosomes. Mutations, on the other hand, are changes in the DNA sequence that can affect genes, but they are not represented in detail through a karyotype. This distinction is crucial for understanding the role and importance of karyotyping in genetics and medicine, especially in diagnosing chromosomal disorders.