What does the term phenotype refer to?

The term phenotype refers to the physical appearance and observable traits of an organism, which are the result of the interaction between its genotype (the genetic makeup) and the environment. This includes characteristics such as height, skin color, and the presence of certain physical features. Understanding phenotype is crucial in genetics because it allows scientists and researchers to predict how traits might be expressed based on genetic information. Since the phenotype is directly related to what can be seen or measured in an organism, it plays a key role in fields such as breeding, evolutionary biology, and conservation efforts. Other options touch on different aspects of genetics, such as genotype and genetic probability, but they do not accurately define what phenotype encompasses.