heredity
Traits passed down
Heredity is the biological transmission of traits from parents to offspring through genes.
Physical characteristics, predispositions to certain diseases, and other attributes pass down through generations: Eye color is determined by heredity.
The word also appears in broader discussions of what we inherit versus what environment shapes: the old debate between heredity and environment.
Hereditary code molecule
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
- genesUnits of heredity
- genomeOrganism's total hereditary material
- allelesVariant forms of genes
genotype · phenotype · mutation · recombination · nucleotide · locus · meiosis · mitosis
Those from whom one descends
- forebearsAncestral family members
- forefathersAncestral predecessors
- foremothersFemale ancestors collectively
- progenitorsOriginal ancestors of a lineage
descendants · bloodline · lineage · pedigree · genealogy · family tree · roots · descent
What's passed down
- bequestGift left by will
- estateProperty and grounds
- patrimonyInherited estate or legacy
- heirloomInherited family treasure
beneficiary · endowment · testament · probate · executor · intestate · testator · succession
Controlled reproduction for traits
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
- genetic screeningTesting DNA for abnormalities
- designer babiesGenetically customized offspring
- inbreedingReproduction between close relatives
outcrossing · hybrid vigor · social Darwinism · genetic counseling
DNA
Hereditary code molecule
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
- genesUnits of heredity
- genomeOrganism's total hereditary material
alleles · genotype · phenotype · mutation · recombination · nucleotide · locus · meiosis · mitosis · karyotype
ancestors
Those from whom one descends
- forebearsAncestral family members
- forefathersAncestral predecessors
- foremothersFemale ancestors collectively
progenitors · descendants · bloodline · lineage · pedigree · genealogy · family tree · roots · descent · origin
legacy
What's passed down
heirloom · beneficiary · endowment · testament · probate · executor · intestate · testator · succession · entailment
selective breeding
Controlled reproduction for traits
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
- genetic screeningTesting DNA for abnormalities
- designer babiesGenetically customized offspring
inbreeding · outcrossing · hybrid vigor · social Darwinism · genetic counseling
- reproductionreproduction, birth, baby, egg, sperm
- hereditygenes, DNA, gene, chromosomes, genetics
- BiotechDNA, bioengineering, genetic testing, gene, DNA sequencing
- geneticsDNA, allele, genotype, genes, gene
- disease causesetiology, causation, pathogens, genetics, infection
- biologycells, DNA, cell, biology, gene
heredityenvironment
External conditions affecting life
nurture · learning · upbringing · experience · conditioning
hereditynurture
Support growth and development
environment · culture · society · environmentalism · behaviorism
heredityplasticity
Ability to change shape
acquired traits · free will · malleability · adaptability · modifiability
- hereditary informationTraits encoded in DNA
- hereditary diseaseCondition inherited from parents
- hereditary disorderCondition transmitted through genes
- hereditary privilegeAdvantage conferred by birth
- hereditary conditionGenetically transmitted health problem
- hereditary ruleGovernance passed through lineage