1. The transmission of characters from parent to offspring by information encoded in the parental germ cells. 2. Genealogy. [L. hereditas, inheritance, fr. heres (hered-), heir]
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1) the sum of the qualities and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors
2) the transmission of traits from ancestor to descendant through the molecular mechanism lying primarily in the DNA or RNA of the genes compare MEIOSIS
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n.
the process that causes the biological similarity between parents and their offspring. genetics is the study of heredity.
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he·red·i·ty (hə-redґĭ-te) [L. hereditas] 1. the genetic transmission of a particular quality or trait from parent to offspring. 2. the genetic constitution of an individual.Medical dictionary. 2011.