Which term describes the genetic make-up of an individual?

The term that describes the genetic make-up of an individual is "genotype." The genotype refers specifically to the set of genes carried by an individual, which can include dominant and recessive alleles. This genetic composition determines various traits that the organism may exhibit, but it is separate from the physical expression of those traits, known as the phenotype.

While the genome refers to the complete set of DNA, including all of its genes, the term "genotype" focuses specifically on the alleles that represent the specific genetic makeup of an individual organism. Chromosomes, on the other hand, are structures within cells that organize and carry the genetic material. Understanding the distinction between these terms is crucial in genetics, as they all relate to the broader concept of heredity and traits but describe different aspects of an organism's genetic structure.