What term refers to different versions of a gene that encode for different characteristics?

The term that refers to different versions of a gene encoding for various characteristics is "alleles." Alleles are variations of a particular gene that exist at a specific locus on a chromosome. For example, a gene related to flower color in plants may have several alleles, resulting in different colors. These variations lead to diversity in traits among individuals of the same species.

In contrast, chromosomes are structures that contain DNA and genes, but they do not specifically refer to the variations of those genes. Phenotypes refer to the observable traits or characteristics of an organism, which are influenced by both its genetic makeup (genotype) and environmental factors. Genotypes represent the genetic constitution of an organism, encompassing the specific alleles it has inherited. Therefore, while all these terms relate to genetics, "alleles" is the precise term that denotes the different versions of a gene responsible for various characteristics.