What term refers to a person's hereditary makeup?

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Study for the UCF DEP2004 Developmental Psychology Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with explanations to prepare for your exam. Ensure success on test day!

The term that refers to a person's hereditary makeup is genotype. The genotype is the complete set of genes an individual inherits from their parents, determining various traits, characteristics, and biological functions. It represents the genetic constitution of a person, regardless of whether those genes are expressed or not.

In contrast, phenotype refers to the observable physical traits and characteristics that result from the interaction between the genotype and the environment. Alleles are different versions of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome, and chromosomes are structures within cells that contain DNA and carry genetic information. Each of these related concepts plays a significant role in genetics, but only genotype specifically denotes the hereditary makeup itself.