Which term refers to traits passed down from parents to offspring?

The correct term for traits passed down from parents to offspring is hereditary traits. This concept directly relates to the study of genetics, where hereditary traits are those characteristics determined by the genes inherited from previous generations. These traits are encoded in the DNA and are responsible for the physical, behavioral, and physiological traits observed in an organism.

Hereditary traits encompass a wide range of characteristics, from eye color and height to predispositions for certain diseases. Understanding heredity is crucial in biology because it explains how traits are passed from one generation to the next and how populations evolve over time through the mechanisms of natural selection and genetic variation.

In contrast, acquired characteristics refer to traits that develop during an individual's lifetime as a result of environmental influences or personal experiences, which are not genetically inherited. Genetic traits are somewhat synonymous with hereditary traits but might not encompass the full concept, as they could refer simply to traits that are present in an individual's genetic makeup rather than specifically focusing on their inheritance. Environmental traits would involve adaptations or changes that occur because of the surrounding environment, which also do not pass down genetically.