What term refers to the actual configuration of genes in an animal?

The term that refers to the actual configuration of genes in an animal is genotype. The genotype encompasses the specific genetic makeup of an organism, including all the alleles for each gene it carries. This configuration dictates hereditary traits and characteristics, although the effects may not always be visibly observable.

Understanding genotype is essential because it lays the foundation for inheritance patterns. It contrasts with phenotype, which is the observable expression of these genetic traits, such as physical appearance or behavior. Chromosomes are structures within cells that contain genes and are not a direct description of the gene configuration itself. Alleles refer to the different versions of a gene that can exist; while they are part of the genotype, they represent only the variations rather than the overall genetic structure.