What is the term for an organism's physical traits?

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Study for the HOSA Human Heredity Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with explanations provided for each. Prepare effectively for your upcoming exam!

The term for an organism's physical traits is phenotype. Phenotype refers to the observable characteristics or traits of an organism, which can include aspects such as height, eye color, and other physical features. These traits are influenced by the organism's genetic makeup (its genotype) as well as environmental factors.

In contrast, genotype refers to the genetic composition of an organism, which may not always be expressed as visible traits. Alleles are specific versions of a gene that may influence the phenotype, but they do not represent the traits themselves. Gametes are the reproductive cells that carry the genetic material to the next generation and are not related to the physical appearance of an organism. Thus, phenotype is the correct term for describing the observable traits that result from the interaction of genetics and the environment.

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