Heredity, in the context of science, refers to the transmission of specific characteristics or traits from parents to their offspring through genetic mechanisms. These traits are determined by genes, which are functional units of heritable material found within all living cells. Every member of a species has a set of genes that provides the constancy of the species, while variations in the form each gene takes account for the differences among individuals within a species.
The study of heredity, also known as genetics, helps us understand how certain qualities or traits are passed from parents to offspring as a result of changes in DNA sequence. A gene is a segment of DNA that contains instructions for building one or more molecules that help the body work. Scientists have found many genes that have been preserved through millions of years of evolution and are present in a range of organisms living today. By studying these genes and comparing the genomes of different species, researchers can uncover similarities and differences that improve their understanding of how genes function and are controlled.
One of the pioneers in the study of heredity was Gregor Mendel, a monk who conducted experiments with plants to understand how traits are passed from one generation to another. His work laid the foundation for classical genetics, although many of the simplifying assumptions made in his experiments do not hold for most of our genes.
