Which term refers to the observable traits or characteristics of an organism?

The term that refers to the observable traits or characteristics of an organism is phenotype. Phenotype encompasses all the physical expressions of an organism's genetic makeup, including traits such as height, eye color, and hair type. These traits result from the interaction between the organism's genes (its genotype) and environmental factors.

Understanding phenotype is essential in genetics because it allows scientists to study how specific traits are passed on and how they can vary among individuals within a species. It is a crucial concept in fields such as breeding, conservation, and medicine, where knowing the observable traits can aid in predicting behaviors or responses to treatments.

In contrast, genotype refers to the genetic composition or the specific alleles carried by an organism, while alleles are the different forms of a gene that can exist at a particular locus on a chromosome. Chromosomes are the structures within cells that contain genetic material, organized into genes. Each of these terms plays a distinct role in genetics, but phenotype specifically deals with the visible or measurable traits of an organism.