What is the study of heredity known as?

The study of heredity is known as genetics. This field focuses on understanding how traits and characteristics are transmitted from one generation to the next through genes, which are the basic units of heredity. Genetics explores various aspects, including the structure and function of genes, the mechanisms of inheritance, variation among individuals, and the underlying processes that drive genetic diversity within populations.

Molecular biology, while related, deals more specifically with the molecular mechanisms and processes within biological systems, particularly concerning the interactions between nucleic acids and proteins. Evolutionary biology examines the origins and changes in species over time, often incorporating genetic data but not focusing solely on heredity itself. Ecology studies the relationships between organisms and their environments, which can include population genetics but does not primarily address heredity. Thus, genetics is the correct term specifically associated with the study of heredity.