How is phenotype defined in genetics?

Phenotype is defined as the total collection of expressed traits of an organism. This includes observable characteristics such as physical appearance, behavior, biochemical properties, and other traits that result from the interaction of an organism's genotype (its genetic makeup) with the environment.

This definition encompasses both the visible traits and any traits that can be analyzed biochemically, providing a comprehensive understanding of how genes manifest in an individual.

The other options focus on specific aspects of genetics: the first choice pertains to a specific genetic variant rather than the broader range of expressed traits; the second choice describes the genotype rather than the phenotype; and the last option refers to hereditary information, which also aligns more closely with the definition of genotype rather than phenotype. Thus, the answer reflects a complete view of how genetic information is expressed in real-world traits.