Which term refers to a possible gene pairing in genetics?

The term that refers to a possible gene pairing in genetics is genotype. Genotype specifically describes the genetic constitution of an individual, particularly regarding alleles of a given gene. Alleles are different versions of a gene, and their pairing determines various traits expressed in an organism. For example, an organism may have homozygous alleles (identical pairs) or heterozygous alleles (different pairs) for a particular gene, and these combinations form the genotype.

The other terms do not accurately reflect gene pairings: chromotype is not a standard term used in genetics, and while 'trait' refers to the observable characteristics resulting from genotype interactions, it does not denote the gene pairing itself. The term 'genetic code' refers to the sequences of nucleotides in DNA that dictate the synthesis of proteins but is not specific to the user's genetic makeup or gene pairings. Thus, genotype is the precise term for describing potential gene pairings within an organism.