noun
Biology term for a phenotypic trait or hereditary character. Used in genetics and evolutionary biology.
この植物の形質は遺伝する。
This plant's traits are inherited.
形質の違いが種の多様性を生む。
Differences in traits give rise to species diversity.
noun
Specific genetics term for an allele, one of the alternative forms of a gene. Less common than the broader 'trait' sense.
対立形質は同じ遺伝子座にある。
Alleles are located at the same genetic locus.
形 (form, shape) + 質 (quality, nature). The compound refers to the observable form or nature of an organism, used in biology since the Meiji era.