What does the term "phenotype" refer to?

The term "phenotype" specifically refers to the observable traits or characteristics of an organism, which are influenced by its genetic makeup and environmental factors. These traits can include physical attributes like height, eye color, or flower color in plants, as well as behavioral traits. The phenotype is essentially how the genotype (the genetic constitution) manifests in the physical and biological characteristics of an organism.

In contrast to this concept, the genetic makeup of an organism refers to its genotype, which is the specific alleles and genetic information it possesses. The variety of species in an ecosystem pertains to biodiversity and is unrelated to individual organism characteristics. Lastly, a specific type of gene mutation looks at changes in the DNA sequence but does not encompass the wider observable traits that phenotype represents. Thus, the definition of phenotype is firmly centered on observable traits stemming from genetic and environmental interplay.