[Campbell Biology P.319] In Mendel's experiments, what is the difference between a 'characte... | Practice Question
In Mendel's experiments, what is the difference between a 'character' and a 'trait'?
A: A character is a heritable feature (like flower color), and a trait is a variant for that character (like purple or white).
B: A trait is a heritable feature (like flower color), and a character is a variant for that trait (like purple or white).
C: They are interchangeable terms for the same concept.
D: A character is determined by genes, while a trait is determined by the environment.
Explanation
The text explicitly defines these terms: 'A heritable feature that varies among individuals, such as flower color, is called a character. Each variant for a character, such as purple or white color for flowers, is called a trait.'