What term describes the passage of genetic traits from parents to offspring?

Inheritance refers to the process through which genetic traits and characteristics are passed from parents to their offspring. This transmission occurs through genes, which are segments of DNA that encode the hereditary information necessary for the development and functioning of living organisms. Inheritance explains why offspring often resemble their parents and can be understood through concepts such as dominant and recessive traits, as well as Mendelian genetics.

The other terms provided relate to different biological concepts. Mutation refers to changes in the DNA sequence that may introduce new traits but do not inherently describe the transmission process. Variation refers to the differences in traits among individuals within a population, which can be a result of both inheritance and mutations. Adaptation involves the processes by which a species becomes better suited to its environment over time, often as a result of evolutionary pressures, and is not specifically about the passing of genetic traits.