In health, what does heredity refer to?

Heredity refers to the genetic transmission of traits from parents to their offspring. This concept encompasses not only physical characteristics like eye color and height but also predispositions to certain health conditions, behaviors, and even some aspects of personality. The genetic makeup inherited from both parents can significantly influence an individual's overall health, including susceptibility to various diseases.

While the other options might touch on aspects of health, they do not accurately define heredity. The transmission of diseases alone does not encapsulate the broader implications of hereditary traits since it is not limited to diseases, but includes all inherited characteristics. The influence of the environment on health, while important, is distinct from heredity, which focuses solely on genetic factors. Changes in DNA over time, such as mutations, can occur but do not strictly define heredity, which is more about the passing down of established traits rather than new alterations in genetic material.