Which term describes the passing of traits from parents to offspring?

Which term describes the passing of traits from parents to offspring?

• A. Heredity
• B. Inheritance
• C. Evolution
• D. Mutation

Answer: (A)

Heredity is the term that describes the passing of traits from parents to offspring. It refers to the way genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next, so offspring receive genes from both parents and exhibit traits based on those genes and their interactions (such as dominant and recessive alleles). This transmission works through chromosomes and gametes, explaining why children resemble their parents and why variation occurs across families. Evolution describes changes in a population’s allele frequencies over many generations, not the immediate transfer of traits from parent to child. Mutation introduces new genetic variation, not the routine passing of existing traits. Inheritance is closely related and often used to describe receiving genes, but the phrase “passing of traits” aligns most precisely with heredity. For example, eye color patterns come from the inheritance of specific alleles passed down from parents, illustrating heredity in action.

Heredity is the term that describes the passing of traits from parents to offspring. It refers to the way genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next, so offspring receive genes from both parents and exhibit traits based on those genes and their interactions (such as dominant and recessive alleles). This transmission works through chromosomes and gametes, explaining why children resemble their parents and why variation occurs across families.

Evolution describes changes in a population’s allele frequencies over many generations, not the immediate transfer of traits from parent to child. Mutation introduces new genetic variation, not the routine passing of existing traits. Inheritance is closely related and often used to describe receiving genes, but the phrase “passing of traits” aligns most precisely with heredity. For example, eye color patterns come from the inheritance of specific alleles passed down from parents, illustrating heredity in action.