What is the name for a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that codes for a specific hereditary trait?

A sequence of nucleotides in DNA that codes for a specific hereditary trait is referred to as a gene. Genes are fundamental units of heredity and play a crucial role in determining the characteristics of an organism. They contain the instructions needed to create proteins, which perform a vast array of functions within living organisms.

Alleles represent different versions of a gene, potentially leading to variations in a trait. A chromosome is a structure made up of DNA and proteins that carries many genes, while a trait is the physical or observable characteristic resulting from the interaction of genes and the environment. Therefore, the term that specifically identifies the coding sequence for a hereditary trait is gene.