Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A trait is a specific characteristic or feature exhibited by an organism, which can be determined by genes or the environment.
Related terms
Inherited Trait: These are traits that have been passed down from parents to offspring through genes. Like getting a red car because your parent's cars were both red.
Acquired Trait: These are traits that an organism develops over its lifetime due to environmental influences. Like getting a scratch on your car from driving in rough terrain.
Polygenic Trait: A trait controlled by two or more genes, such as skin color or height in humans. It's like having multiple factors deciding the speed of your car - not just the engine size but also weight, aerodynamics and fuel quality.