inheritance

In biology, the passing of characteristics from parents to offspring. Characteristics that can be passed on in this way are determined by genes (see also allele).

The study of inheritance is called genetics and was founded by the Austrian biologist Gregor Mendel. He found that crossing two parents having one contrasting characteristic (for example, one tall and the other dwarf) showed that inheritance was the consequence of passing on ‘particles’ or, as we now know them, genes, which determine the characteristics. This kind of cross is called a monohybrid cross.

In asexual reproduction the offspring inherit the same characteristics as the parent. In sexual reproduction, the offspring inherit a mix of the characteristics of the two parents.