Which term describes the genetic information an organism inherits?

The term that describes the genetic information an organism inherits is genotype. The genotype refers specifically to the set of genes and alleles present in an organism, which determine the hereditary traits that can be passed on to the next generation. This encompasses both dominant and recessive alleles for specific traits, essentially shaping the organism's biological and genetic identity.

The other terms relate to genetics but refer to different concepts. Phenotype, for instance, describes the observable characteristics or traits of an organism, which result from the interaction of the genotype with the environment. Alleles are variations of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome, affecting how a trait is expressed, while chromosomes are the structures within cells that carry genetic information. Overall, genotype is the most accurate term for the inherited genetic information.