What term describes the transmission of traits from one generation to the next?

The term that accurately describes the transmission of traits from one generation to the next is "inheritance." Inheritance specifically refers to the genetic process by which traits and characteristics are passed from parents to offspring through genes. This biological mechanism is foundational to the field of genetics and is key to understanding how traits are perpetuated within a species over time.

While the term "hereditary" is closely related and often used interchangeably with "inheritance," it typically describes the quality of being inherited and the nature of traits that can be passed down. On the other hand, "evolution" refers to the broader process by which species change over time through natural selection and genetic variation, which includes but is not limited to the concept of inheritance. "Adaptation" relates to the process by which organisms become better suited to their environment over generations, reflecting changes driven by evolutionary forces rather than the direct transmission of genetic traits. Thus, "inheritance" is the most precise term for the transfer of traits from one generation to the next.