Which term describes the specific alleles present for a given trait in an organism?

Study for the UCF BSC1005 Biological Principles Exam. Explore exam formats, detailed questions and answers with explanations to enhance understanding. Get ready for your exam with confidence!

The correct term that describes the specific alleles present for a given trait in an organism is genotype. The genotype refers to the genetic constitution of an organism, specifically the alleles that it possesses for particular genes. These alleles can be homozygous (the same) or heterozygous (different), and they directly influence the traits exhibited by the organism.

Understanding genotype is crucial because it provides insight into the potential traits an organism can express, which are often observable as phenotypes. The phenotype, on the other hand, is the visible or expressed traits that result from the interaction of the genotype with the environment. The term "trait" simply refers to any characteristic or feature of an organism, while "dominance" describes the relationship between alleles in heterozygous conditions, particularly which allele's effect is expressed when both are present.

Therefore, genotype is the most precise term for indicating the specific alleles related to a particular trait.

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