General
Genetics is the branch of biology that focuses on the study of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms. It seeks to understand how traits are inherited from one generation to the next and how genetic information is expressed, regulated, and passed on.
Key aspects of genetics include:
- Genes: Units of heredity made of DNA that encode instructions for building and maintaining organisms.
- Heredity: The transmission of traits from parents to offspring.
- Variation: Differences in genetic makeup that contribute to the diversity within and between species.
Genetics is fundamental to understanding many aspects of biology, medicine, and evolution.