What is defined as the development of traits influenced by both genetic inheritance and environmental factors?

The development of traits influenced by both genetic inheritance and environmental factors is known as the phenotype. The term "phenotype" refers to the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, which are determined not only by its genetic makeup (genotype) but also by the environment in which it lives. This can include factors such as nutrition, climate, and other external conditions that can affect how genes are expressed.

Understanding phenotype is crucial because it encompasses the interaction between an organism's genetic predispositions and the environmental influences that shape those traits, such as height, skin color, and the ability to withstand certain diseases. In contrast, genotypes refer specifically to the actual genetic composition of an organism, while evolution is the broader process of change in populations over time, and ecology focuses on the relationships between organisms and their environments.