Inheritance

Inheritance is the transmission of genetic material from parents to offspring, a central concept in biology and evolution. In sexually reproducing organisms, offspring inherit genes located on chromosomes, and these genes influence inherited traits. Classic patterns of genetic inheritance describe how single genes with dominant and recessive alleles can produce recognizable traits. Other patterns include autosomal versus sex-linked inheritance, incomplete or codominance, polygenic traits, and non-Mendelian mechanisms such as mitochondrial or chloroplast inheritance. Genetic variation arises through mutations, recombination, and gene flow, shaping phenotypes and susceptibility to diseases. Hereditary disorders arise when genetic variants cause disease, often following predictable inheritance patterns but with exceptions due to penetrance, expressivity, and environmental influence. Epigenetic inheritance also transmits regulatory information across generations without altering DNA sequence.

In law, inheritance refers to the transfer of property, titles, debts, and other rights upon a person’s death. This may occur through a will or trust, or through statutory intestate succession. Laws govern who may inherit, the share allotted to heirs, and the division among descendants, spouses, and other relatives. Probate and estate taxes are common considerations, and rules vary by jurisdiction and culture.

In computing, inheritance is a mechanism by which a class derives from another class, inheriting attributes and behavior. This supports code reuse and polymorphism but can introduce tight coupling. Languages differ in support for single versus multiple inheritance and in how access control and method resolution are handled; some favor composition over inheritance as an alternative design principle.