A description of a physical characteristic controlled by a gene is called a phenotypic trait (or simply a trait or phenotype).

Quick Scoop: The Core Idea

In genetics, when you describe something you can see or measure that comes from genes—like eye color, hair texture, or blood type—that description is a phenotypic trait.

  • “Phenotypic” points to the fact that it is an observable expression of genes.
  • “Trait” is the biological term for a specific characteristic, such as blue eyes or tall height.

So if your question is:

“What do we call a description of a physical characteristic controlled by a gene?”

The precise textbook-style answer is:

We call it a phenotypic trait (a phenotype).

Tiny Example

  • Gene controls: possible eye colors.
  • Individual’s observable eye color: “brown eyes.”
  • That description “brown eyes” is the phenotypic trait for eye color.

TL;DR: The description of a physical characteristic controlled by a gene is called a phenotypic trait (or phenotype).

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