Which term describes organisms that lay eggs that hatch outside of the mother?

The term that describes organisms which lay eggs that hatch outside of the mother is oviparous. Oviparous animals deposit fertilized eggs into the environment, where the embryos can develop and hatch independently from the mother. This reproductive strategy is common in various species, including most birds, reptiles, amphibians, and many types of fish.

In contrast, viviparous organisms give birth to live young that have developed inside the mother's body, usually after receiving nourishment through a placenta. Ovoviviparous species, on the other hand, also give birth to live young but do so after the eggs hatch internally rather than laying them in the environment. Parthenogenetic reproduction involves the development of an embryo from an unfertilized egg, leading to asexual reproduction without fertilization. Hence, the characteristics that define oviparous reproduction make it the correct choice for this question.