Final answer:
Heredity is the passing of characteristics from parents to offspring, based on the chromosomal basis of inheritance, as proposed by Mendel.
Step-by-step explanation:
The accurate statement about heredity is that it is the passing of characteristics from parents to children. This process is explained by the chromosomal basis of inheritance, which was initially proposed by Mendel and provides an understanding of how genes are transmitted from parent to offspring. Selective breeding, which involves human intervention to encourage the reproduction of organisms with desirable traits, results in genetic changes in the offspring and is considered anthropogenic. Additionally, most characteristics of organisms are inherited, but there is also variation among offspring in regard to their characteristics.