Which term refers to the different forms of genes that contribute to inherited traits?

The term that refers to the different forms of genes contributing to inherited traits is "allele." Alleles are variations of a gene that arise due to slight differences in the DNA sequence. Each individual inherits two alleles for each gene—one from each parent—which may be identical or different. These alleles can lead to variations in traits; for example, a gene that determines flower color may have a red allele and a white allele. The combination of these alleles determines the organism's genotype, which, in turn, influences the observable characteristics or phenotype.

In summary, alleles are crucial for genetic diversity and the expression of traits in organisms, making them foundational to the study of inheritance and genetics in biology.