Which term is associated with the observable characteristics of an organism?

The term that refers to the observable characteristics of an organism is phenotype. This encompasses traits such as physical appearance, behavior, and other attributes that can be seen or measured. The phenotype results from the interaction of an organism's genotype, which is its genetic makeup, with environmental factors.

For instance, if you consider a plant, its height, flower color, and leaf shape are all part of its phenotype. These characteristics can be influenced by both its genetic instructions and environmental conditions like soil quality and sunlight exposure.

In contrast, gene refers to a segment of DNA that determines a specific trait, while genotype pertains to the actual genetic constitution of an organism. Alleles are different versions of a gene that may produce variations in the phenotype. Understanding the distinction between these terms is crucial in fields such as genetics and biology, as it allows for a clearer comprehension of how traits are expressed in living organisms.