Define Heredity.

Heredity is the process by which traits or characteristics are passed from one generation to the next through the transmission of genetic information. This transmission occurs through the transfer of genetic material, primarily in the form of DNA, from parent organisms to their offspring during reproduction. The fundamental unit of heredity is the gene, a segment of DNA that codes for a specific trait or function.

The mechanisms of heredity involve the replication and distribution of genetic material during cell division, whether through mitosis in somatic cells or meiosis in reproductive cells. Offspring inherit a combination of genetic material from both parents, contributing to the diversity and variability observed in populations.

Heredity plays a central role in the continuity of species, as it ensures the passage of genetic information from one generation to the next. It is responsible for the similarities between parents and their children, as well as the preservation of specific traits within populations over successive generations. The study of heredity is a core component of genetics, a field that explores the principles governing the inheritance of traits and the variations observed in living organisms.