Final answer:
Epigenetic inheritance describes how a cell passes down chromatin structure from parent to daughter cells through mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modifications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The form of inheritance that describes how a cell passes down chromatin structure from parent to daughter cells is called epigenetic inheritance. Epigenetic inheritance refers to the transmission of changes in gene expression patterns and chromatin structure that are not caused by changes in the DNA sequence itself.
During cell division, the chromatin structure, including whether it is in a heterochromatin or euchromatin state, can be maintained and passed down to the daughter cells. This can influence gene expression and ultimately the phenotype of the cells. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, play a role in maintaining and transmitting chromatin structure from parent to daughter cells.