Which term describes the physical manifestation of genes?

The term that describes the physical manifestation of genes is known as phenotype. This refers to the observable characteristics or traits of an organism, which can include physical attributes like height, color, shape, and other measurable features. The phenotype is influenced by the organism's genotype, which is the genetic makeup, as well as environmental factors.

For example, a plant may have a genotype that allows it to grow tall, but if it is grown in poor soil, its phenotype may reflect stunted growth. This distinction emphasizes that while the genotype provides the potential for certain traits, the phenotype is what is actually expressed in the organism.

In contrast, genotype refers to the genetic information that determines the traits of an organism but does not represent how those traits are physically expressed. Alleles are different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus, contributing to variations in a trait but not describing the manifestation itself. Chromosomes are structures that contain genetic material, thus they are part of the underlying genetic framework rather than the visible traits.