Answer:
The transmission of hereditary information from one generation to the next is known as "inheritance" or "heredity."
Step-by-step explanation:
Inheritance refers to the passing of genetic material, which contains the instructions for the development and functioning of living organisms, from parents to their offspring.
The fundamental units of heredity are genes, which are segments of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules found in the cells of living organisms. Genes carry specific sequences of nucleotides that encode information for the synthesis of proteins or other functional molecules. These proteins play vital roles in determining an organism's traits, such as physical characteristics, biochemical processes, and susceptibility to certain diseases.
Heredity occurs through the transfer of genes from parent organisms to their offspring during reproduction. In sexually reproducing organisms, such as humans, offspring inherit genes from both their biological parents. Each parent contributes half of their genetic material to their offspring, resulting in a combination of traits from both parents.
The mechanisms of heredity involve processes such as meiosis, which produces gametes (sperm and eggs) with half the number of chromosomes, and fertilization, where the gametes combine to form a zygote with a complete set of chromosomes. Genetic variation can also arise through mutations, which are changes in the DNA sequence that can be inherited and contribute to genetic diversity.
Overall, the transmission of hereditary information ensures the continuity of genetic traits across generations and is a fundamental principle of biological inheritance.