Which term refers to the set of alleles that determine inherited traits, regardless of expression?

Which term refers to the set of alleles that determine inherited traits, regardless of expression?

• A. Genotype
• B. Phenotype
• C. Allele
• D. Homozygous

Answer: (A)

The key idea is genotype—the genetic constitution for a trait. It’s the set of alleles an individual carries, inherited from both parents, that determines what could be passed on or potentially expressed, regardless of whether that trait actually shows up in the organism. The phenotype, by contrast, is the visible or measurable trait that results from how those alleles interact and from environmental influences. An allele is a single variant of a gene, so it’s a piece of the whole genetic makeup rather than the complete set. Homozygous describes having two identical alleles for a trait, which is a specific state within the genotype, not the entire set itself. So the set of alleles that determine inherited traits, independent of expression, is the genotype.

The key idea is genotype—the genetic constitution for a trait. It’s the set of alleles an individual carries, inherited from both parents, that determines what could be passed on or potentially expressed, regardless of whether that trait actually shows up in the organism. The phenotype, by contrast, is the visible or measurable trait that results from how those alleles interact and from environmental influences. An allele is a single variant of a gene, so it’s a piece of the whole genetic makeup rather than the complete set. Homozygous describes having two identical alleles for a trait, which is a specific state within the genotype, not the entire set itself. So the set of alleles that determine inherited traits, independent of expression, is the genotype.