Which term refers to the observable traits of an organism?

The term that refers to the observable traits of an organism is known as phenotype. Phenotype encompasses the physical appearance, developmental characteristics, and any biochemical properties that are expressed, as a result of the interaction between the organism's genetic makeup (genotype) and environmental factors. For instance, in animals, this includes traits such as coat color, size, and behavior.

In contrast, genotype pertains to the specific genetic constitution of an organism, which can include various versions of genes (alleles) that may or may not be expressed as observable traits. An allele is simply a variant of a gene, while the term hybrid generally refers to the offspring resulting from the breeding of parents with different traits or genetic backgrounds. Understanding the distinction between these terms is crucial in the study of genetics and how traits are expressed in organisms.