Final answer:
Inherited traits are characteristics passed from parents to offspring, determined by the genetic information in the form of alleles inherited from each parent, leading to similarities and variation among siblings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inherited traits are features that are given to offspring by their parents. Traits are often observable characteristics that can be seen in offspring, which come from the genetic information passed down from both the mother and the father. Offspring tend to exhibit a "blend" of their parents' traits, especially when those traits show continuous variation. Each parent contributes 50% of the genes, ensuring that children will have certain similarities with their parents.
For every characteristic, organisms inherit two alleles: one from each parent. These alleles may be the same or different, leading to the inheritance of homozygous or heterozygous traits. The specific combination of genes inherited from both parents leads to the variation seen within a species. Traits such as hair color, height, eye color, etc., are expressions of different alleles of a gene.
Furthermore, the distinction between characteristics and their specific variations is important; for example, height is a characteristic, while tall and short illustrate the varying traits resulting from genetic combination. Through the processes of heredity and genetics, we can explain the similarities and differences between children, their siblings, and their parents.