What is the term for the passing of traits from parents to their offspring?

The passing of traits from parents to their offspring is best described by the term "heredity." This concept refers specifically to the biological process through which characteristics, such as physical traits and genetic information, are transmitted from one generation to the next. Heredity is fundamental to the study of genetics, as it explains how traits are inherited and expressed in descendants based on the genetic makeup provided by the parents.

While "inheritance" might appear similar, it is often used in a broader context, referring to the more general concept of obtaining something from predecessors, which can include both biological traits and non-biological features. "Mutation" involves changes in the DNA sequence which can lead to variations in traits but does not refer to the transfer of those traits. "Gene flow" describes the movement of genes between populations, but it does not specifically address how traits are passed from parents to their offspring. Thus, "heredity" is the most precise term for the transmission of traits from one generation to the next.