What does the term "trait" refer to in biology?

The term "trait" in biology refers to a specific characteristic exhibited by an organism. Traits can encompass a range of features, including physical attributes like eye color, height, and leaf shape, as well as behavioral attributes such as mating habits or feeding behaviors. These characteristics can be influenced by the organism's genetic makeup and environmental factors.

In the context of genetics, traits play a key role in the study of heredity and variation among organisms, as they can be passed from one generation to the next through genes. Understanding traits is crucial for fields like genetics, ecology, and evolutionary biology, as they contribute to the diversity of life and the adaptation of species within their environments.