What is the term for the observable physical or biochemical traits of an individual?

The term that describes the observable physical or biochemical traits of an individual is known as the phenotype. The phenotype encompasses a variety of characteristics including traits such as height, eye color, and even the presence or absence of certain biochemical markers. This concept is crucial in genetics as it reflects the expression of an organism's genes (genotype) in combination with environmental factors.

Understanding phenotype is key in areas like nursing and genetics because it influences how individuals may respond to certain health conditions or treatments. For example, recognizing phenotypic traits can aid in clinical decision-making and personalized care based on an individual's unique characteristics. This understanding is foundational in genetic counseling, patient education, and understanding hereditary patterns in families.

The other terms mentioned—genotype, karyotype, and mutation—serve different functions in genetics. The genotype refers to the genetic constitution of an individual, while the karyotype describes the number and appearance of chromosomes, and mutation denotes a change in the DNA sequence. Each of these plays a role in genetics but does not specifically refer to the observable traits as phenotype does.