What term describes the ability of one genotype to produce multiple phenotypes based on environmental conditions?

The term that describes the ability of one genotype to produce multiple phenotypes based on environmental conditions is phenotypic plasticity. This concept refers to the capacity of an organism to alter its morphology, physiology, or behavior in response to varying environmental factors.

For example, a plant might exhibit different growth patterns depending on the availability of sunlight, water, or nutrients. Similarly, in animals, the coloration or size may change in response to temperature or habitat type. This flexibility allows organisms to better adapt to their environments, thereby enhancing their chances of survival and reproduction.

This term is distinct from concepts like genetic drift, which involves changes in allele frequencies due to random sampling effects in small populations, and natural selection, which refers to the differential survival and reproduction of individuals based on their traits. Adaptive radiation involves the diversification of a group of organisms into forms filling different ecological niches, rather than the ability of a single genotype to manifest varied phenotypes.