What are phenotypic variations?

Phenotypic variations refer to the observable differences in the physical traits or characteristics of organisms. This can include aspects such as color, size, shape, and even behavior. These variations result from the interaction of an organism's genetic makeup (genotype) with environmental influences, leading to diverse traits within a species. Therefore, the correct answer highlights that these variations are expressed in either appearance or function, which is essential for understanding how species adapt and evolve.

The other options point to different concepts within genetics. Differences in genetic makeup pertain to genotypic variation, while mutations that do not affect appearance focus on silent changes in DNA that do not result in observable traits. Lastly, the total genomic information in an organism refers to the complete set of genes rather than the visible traits, which underscores the difference between genotype and phenotype.