What does heredity refer to in biological terms?

Heredity refers specifically to the transmission of traits from parents to offspring. This definition encompasses the process by which genetic information is passed down through generations, influencing various characteristics such as physical traits, behaviors, and predispositions to certain health conditions. Understanding heredity is crucial in the study of genetics and biology, as it helps explain how traits are inherited and the role of alleles, chromosomes, and genes in determining the characteristics of living organisms.

The focus of heredity is on the genetic factors that influence the characteristics of offspring, rather than growth processes, environmental influences, or the physical structure of genes. While those other factors are important in the broader context of biology, they do not capture the definition of heredity as the specific passing of genetic traits from one generation to the next.