What is heredity? How is it related to inheritance?

Heredity is the process of genetic inheritance, where genetic information is passed from parents to their offspring. This information is in the form of de-oxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is stored in the nucleus of the cell and organised into chromosomes. As humans, we possess 23 pairs of chromosomes, with half of each pair coming from each parent. Therefore, the gametes (egg and sperm) from sexual reproduction contain 23 chromosomes of the parent, that combine to form the 46 chromosomal set upon fertilisation. As a result, we resemble both our parents as we share half our DNA with each if them. Consequently, understanding inheritance comes from understanding that heredity is the key process that transfers genetic information between generations.

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Answered by Samuel W. Biology tutor

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