What term refers to the genetic structure an organism inherits from its parents?

• A. Phenotype
• B. Genetics
• C. Chromosome
• D. Genotype

Answer: (D)

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup an organism inherits from its parents—the specific alleles at each gene locus that form its inherited blueprint. It’s the set of genetic instructions passed down, which helps shape potential traits when combined with environmental factors. This differs from the phenotype, the observable traits you actually see. Chromosomes are the structures that carry genes, so they’re part of how the genotype is organized, but the inherited genetic material itself is the genotype. Genetics is the study of these patterns, not the inherited structure by itself.