heritability

heritability

Heritability is the reason why children often share their parents' eye color.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The quality of being inheritable: "heritability" refers to the capacity of a trait or characteristic to be passed from one generation to the next through genetic inheritance.
    • A statistical measure in genetics: In quantitative genetics, "heritability" is an estimate of the proportion of variation in a trait within a population that is due to genetic differences among individuals.
Usage Examples

  • As a general concept:

    • The heritability of eye colour is very high, as it is largely determined by genes. (The ability of eye colour to be inherited genetically.)
    • Scientists study the heritability of intelligence to understand how much is influenced by genetics versus environment. (The degree to which intelligence can be passed down genetically.)

  • As a statistical term:

    • The heritability of height in humans is estimated to be around 80 percent, meaning genetic factors account for most of the variation. (The proportion of height differences due to genetic differences.)
    • Low heritability suggests that environmental factors play a larger role in shaping a trait. (A small genetic contribution to trait variation.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Narrow-sense heritability": the proportion of trait variation due to additive genetic effects (the sum of individual gene effects).

    • Narrow-sense heritability is used in animal breeding to predict response to selection. (A specific type of heritability estimate.)

  • "Broad-sense heritability": the proportion of trait variation due to all genetic effects, including dominance and epistasis.

    • Broad-sense heritability includes non-additive genetic factors and is often higher than narrow-sense heritability. (A more comprehensive genetic measure.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Heritable (adj): capable of being inherited.

    • Some diseases are heritable, meaning they can be passed from parents to children. (Capable of genetic transmission.)

  • Inherit (verb): to receive a genetic characteristic from a parent.

    • Children inherit half of their DNA from each parent. (To receive genetically.)
Synonyms
  • Inheritability: the quality of being inheritable.
  • Genetic transmissibility: the capacity of a trait to be transmitted through genes.
Phrasal Verbs
  • Inherit from: to receive a trait genetically from an ancestor.
    • She inherited her blue eyes from her mother. (Received genetically from her mother.)
Related Idioms

  • In the genes: used to describe a trait that is strongly influenced by genetics.

    • His musical talent is in the genes; his whole family plays instruments. (Genetically determined or strongly influenced.)

  • Run in the family: to be common among members of a family, often due to genetics.

    • Red hair runs in the family, showing high heritability for that trait. (A trait frequently passed down genetically.)