Which type of traits influences the function of an organism, such as the ability to metabolize sugar?

• A. Morphological traits
• B. Physiological traits
• C. Genetic traits
• D. Behavioral traits

Answer: (B)

Physiological traits are directly related to the functions and processes occurring within an organism. They encompass the biochemical and metabolic processes that enable an organism to carry out essential functions, such as nutrient metabolism, respiration, and temperature regulation. For instance, the ability to metabolize sugar is a physiological trait because it involves the enzymatic and metabolic pathways that allow the organism to process sugar for energy.

While other trait categories like morphological traits relate to the structure and physical characteristics of an organism, and behavioral traits pertain to actions or reactions in response to stimuli, they do not specifically address metabolic functions. Genetic traits describe the heritable characteristics encoded in the DNA, but they are broader and do not focus solely on metabolic capabilities. Therefore, physiological traits are the most accurate choice for describing characteristics that influence metabolic functions in organisms.