What term describes the scientific study of heredity?

• A. Epigenetics
• B. Genotype
• C. Genetics
• D. Phenotype

Answer: (C)

Genetics is the scientific study of heredity. It explores how traits are passed from parents to offspring through genes and how variation arises in populations over generations. This field covers mechanisms of inheritance, gene function, and how genetic and environmental factors shape traits. Epigenetics deals with how gene activity can be altered by experiences and environment without changing the DNA sequence, so it’s related but not the broad study of heredity itself. Genotype refers to an organism’s genetic makeup, while phenotype is the observable traits that result from that makeup and the environment. Therefore, genetics is the correct term.