In genetics, what does the term "phenotype" refer to?

The term "phenotype" refers to the observable characteristics of an organism, which are the traits that can be seen or measured. This includes physical aspects such as height, color, and shape, as well as biochemical characteristics. The phenotype is the result of the interaction between an organism's genetic makeup, known as the genotype, and environmental factors. Thus, when discussing phenotype, it is important to recognize that it represents the expression of genes in a tangible form, allowing for differences among individuals based on both their genetics and their surroundings.

The other options pertain to genetics but define different concepts. The genetic makeup is referred to as the genotype, while a set of alleles specifically describes the variations of genes that an organism carries. The processes of inheritance encompass the mechanisms by which traits are passed from one generation to the next, rather than describing observable features.