hereditary traits
Passed-down family features
Hereditary traits are characteristics passed from parents to offspring through genes.
These include physical features like eye color, hair texture, and height, as well as predispositions to certain diseases or conditions.
The phrase appears most often in biology and genetics discussions: Hereditary traits determine much of how we look and function.
While environment shapes development too, hereditary traits establish the genetic blueprint each person inherits.
- eye colorPigmentation of iris
- allelesVariant forms of genes
- dimplesSmall facial indentations
- widow's peakV-shaped frontal hairline
- cleft chinGroove in lower jaw
attached earlobes · handedness · chromosomes · freckles · genetics · mitochondrial DNA · gene pool · blood type · dominant gene · recessive traits · hair texture · skin tone · phenotype · DNA · genetic disorders · birth defect · height · facial features
- reproductionreproduction, birth, baby, egg, sperm
- selective breedingartificial selection, selective breeding, crossbreeding, inbreeding, linebreeding
- GenomicsDNA sequencing, genome sequencing, sequencing, genome, DNA
- geneticsDNA, allele, genotype, genes, gene
- breedingselective breeding, breeder, crossbreeding, mating, breeding pair
- nutrition sciencedietetics, macronutrients, micronutrients, nutrient absorption, nutrient deficiency
hereditary traitsenvironmental influences
Outside forces shaping outcomes
free will · blank slate · tabula rasa · lifestyle factors · self-determination