Inherited characteristics are traits or features that are passed down from parents to their offspring through genes. These traits can include physical attributes like eye color, hair type, and height, as well as certain behaviors and predispositions to health conditions. The combination of genes from both parents determines how these characteristics are expressed in the child. Genetics plays a crucial role in inherited characteristics, as each parent contributes half of the child's genetic material. This process is governed by the principles of Mendelian inheritance, which explain how traits are inherited in predictable patterns. Understanding inherited characteristics helps scientists and families learn more about genetics and the potential for certain traits to appear in future generations.