Which term describes the observable traits of an organism?

The observable traits of an organism are referred to as its phenotype. This includes physical characteristics such as height, color, shape, and any other trait that can be seen or measured. The phenotype is a result of the interaction between the organism's genetic makeup, known as the genotype, and environmental factors.

While genotype refers to the specific genetic constitution of an organism (the alleles it carries), phenotype pertains to how these genes are expressed in the organism's characteristics. Heredity refers to the process of genetic transmission from parents to offspring, while alleles are variations of a gene that can contribute to the phenotype but are not synonymous with the observable traits themselves. Understanding this distinction is crucial in the study of genetics and inheritance patterns.