What is the physical manifestation of an organism’s genotype called?

Study for the WJEC Biology Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, hints and explanations included. Prepare effectively for your exam!

The physical manifestation of an organism's genotype is referred to as the phenotype. The phenotype encompasses all the observable characteristics of an organism, which can include traits such as height, color, shape, and other features that result from the interaction of an organism's genetic makeup (genotype) with the environment.

In genetics, the genotype represents the specific alleles an organism carries, while the phenotype is the expression of those alleles in the form of physical characteristics. This relationship highlights the essential concept that while genotype sets the potential for certain features, the phenotype illustrates how those features are actually expressed in the organism's appearance and behavior.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for studying inheritance patterns, as it allows one to differentiate between the underlying genetic factors and their resulting observable traits. This is why the term phenotype is the correct answer in this context.

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