Inheritance patterns refer to the ways traits and characteristics are passed from parents to offspring through genes. These patterns are influenced by the genetic makeup of the parents and can be observed in various organisms, including humans. Common inheritance patterns include autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked, and mitochondrial inheritance. Each inheritance pattern has specific rules that determine how traits are expressed in the offspring. For example, in autosomal dominant inheritance, only one copy of a mutated gene from either parent can cause the trait to appear, while in autosomal recessive inheritance, two copies of the mutated gene are necessary for the trait to manifest. Understanding these patterns helps in predicting genetic disorders and traits in future generations.