Which term describes the physical appearance of an organism?

The term that describes the physical appearance of an organism is phenotype. Phenotype encompasses all the observable traits of an organism, including its morphology, development, biochemical properties, and behavior, which are influenced by both its genetic makeup and environmental factors.

Understanding the concept of phenotype is critical because it reflects the actual expression of an organism’s genes, taking into account how external factors can also shape these traits. For instance, a plant's height, flower color, or leaf shape is all part of its phenotype. This distinction is essential in fields like genetics, biology, and ecology, where the interplay between genotype (the genetic constitution of an organism) and phenotype is studied to understand how traits are inherited and expressed in different environments.