Heredity is the process by which traits and characteristics are passed from parents to their offspring. This transfer of genetic information occurs through genes, which are segments of DNA found in every living organism. For example, a child may inherit brown eyes from their mother and curly hair from their father. The study of heredity helps us understand how certain traits are expressed and how they can change over generations. Scientists often use the term genetics to describe this field of study. By exploring heredity, we can learn more about diseases, physical traits, and even behaviors that run in families.