What does the term 'phenotype' refer to?

The term 'phenotype' refers specifically to the observable physical characteristics of an organism, including traits such as appearance, behavior, and biochemical properties. It encompasses everything you can see or measure in an organism, which can be influenced by the organism's genetic makeup as well as environmental factors.

For example, in plants, phenotype can include attributes like flower color, height, and leaf shape, while in animals, it might include fur color, size, and ability to perform certain behaviors. The phenotype results from the interactions between an organism's alleles—its specific genetic variants—and the environment, which can modulate how these genetic traits are expressed. This concept is fundamental in genetics because it links the genetic code (the genotype) to the visible traits that are crucial for natural selection and adaptation.