Wild type

Wild type (often abbreviated WT) is a term used in genetics to refer to the phenotype of the typical form of a species as it occurs in nature. Originally, the wild type was conceptualized as a product of the standard "normal" genes, in contrast to "mutants" that had experienced changes in their DNA. Today, however, it is understood that most organisms carry a significant load of genetic variation, and the concept of a single "wild type" genome has been replaced by the idea of a gene pool.

Definition and usage

The term "wild type" is used in genetics to denote the typical phenotype of a species as it occurs in nature. It is used to contrast with mutant phenotypes, which are caused by changes in the DNA sequence. The wild type phenotype is considered "normal" and is used as a standard to study genetic changes.

History

The concept of the wild type in genetics was first introduced by Thomas Hunt Morgan, an American evolutionary biologist, geneticist, and embryologist. He used the term to describe the standard phenotype of an organism, in contrast to mutants that had experienced changes in their DNA.

Modern understanding

Today, it is understood that most organisms carry a significant load of genetic variation, and the concept of a single "wild type" genome has been replaced by the idea of a gene pool. This means that there is no single "normal" genome, but rather a range of possible genomes that can produce the wild type phenotype.

See also

• Genotype
• Phenotype
• Mutation
• Genetic variation
• Gene pool

References

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