Heredity is the biological process by which genetic characteristics and traits are passed from parents to offspring. This inheritance is governed by DNA, a molecular structure that organizes genes, which are segments of DNA carrying specific instructions for building and maintaining an organism. These genes determine the physical, metabolic, and behavioral characteristics of an individual. The transmission of this genetic material occurs through specialized cellular mechanisms, ensuring that the foundational blueprint for life is replicated and maintained across successive generations, thereby forming the basis of biological variation and species continuity.