Final answer:
The different coat colors between cat breeds are examples of phenotypes, which are the observable characteristics that result from the interaction of the genotype and the environment. In cats, coat color traits are sex-linked and can exhibit codominance, as seen in calico cats.
Step-by-step explanation:
The different coat colors between cat breeds are an example of phenotypes. Phenotypes are the observable traits expressed by an organism, such as coat color, which are influenced by the organism's genotype and environmental factors. The genotype is the underlying genetic makeup, consisting of both expressed and non-expressed alleles. In the context of cat coat colors, the presence of different alleles on the X chromosome that determine coat color illustrates sex-linked inheritance (option 4), and in the case of calico cats, the expressed patchwork of colors indicates codominance (option 2), where both black and yellow colors show up independently in different areas of the coat. Sex-linked traits and codominance contribute to the variety of coat colors in cats which is ultimately reflected in their phenotypes.