What is a phenotype?

A phenotype refers to the observable characteristics of an organism, which can include traits such as physical appearance, development, behavior, and biochemical properties. These traits result from the interaction of the organism's genotype, which is the genetic makeup, and environmental factors. For example, the phenotype of a plant may include features such as height, leaf shape, and flower color, which are directly visible and can be measured or assessed. Understanding phenotypes is crucial in fields like genetics, biology, and ecology, as they help in studying how organisms adapt to their environment or how traits are inherited across generations. The other choices focus on genetic information, gene location, and evolutionary history, which do not directly pertain to the observable traits that define a phenotype.