Heredity is the passing of physical or mental traits from parents to their children through genes. It explains why family members often look alike or share certain health conditions.
From Latin “hereditas,” meaning “inheritance,” especially of property. Scientists later borrowed the word idea for the way traits are ‘inherited’ biologically.
You can think of heredity as nature’s way of sending a long, detailed message from your ancestors straight into your cells. It doesn’t control everything—environment and choices still matter—but it sets the starting conditions of your life. Every freckle, talent, or allergy that runs in your family is heredity leaving fingerprints.
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