Final answer:
In biology, inheritance refers to the passing down of characteristics and the genes that control them from one generation to the next. This process ensures that offspring belong to the same species and exhibit similar traits. Genetics plays a crucial role in determining the characteristics of living organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inheritance of Characteristics in Biology
In biology, inheritance refers to the passing down of characteristics and the genes that control them from one generation to the next. This process ensures that offspring belong to the same species and exhibit similar traits. Characteristics of organisms are determined by the arrangement of nucleotides in their genes, which are located on chromosomes.
For example, in humans, genetic traits encoded in DNA can have Mendelian inheritance patterns. Some traits are simple, following the patterns observed in pea plants studied by Gregor Mendel. Other traits have more complex inheritance patterns. Overall, genetics plays a crucial role in determining the characteristics of living organisms.