heredity, the sum of all biological processes by which particular characteristics are transmitted from parents to their offspring. ... The set of genes that an offspring inherits from both parents, a combination of the genetic material of each, is called the organism's genotype.

What does heredity mean in simple terms?

heredity. / (hɪˈrɛdɪtɪ) / noun plural -ties. the transmission from one generation to another of genetic factors that determine individual characteristics: responsible for the resemblances between parents and offspring. the sum total of the inherited factors or their characteristics in an organism.

What is example of heredity?

Heredity is defined as the characteristics we get genetically from our parents and our relatives before them. An example of heredity is the likelihood that you will have blue eyes. An example of heredity is your possibility of having breast cancer based on family history.