Which term refers to the genetic information inherited from one's parents?

The term that refers to the genetic information inherited from one's parents is DNA. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms. It is organized into structures called chromosomes, which are found in the nucleus of cells. Each chromosome contains many genes, which are segments of DNA that determine specific traits or characteristics.

While chromosomes are related to the inheritance of genetic information, they are not the basic unit of that information. Instead, DNA is the actual molecule that provides this genetic blueprint, making it the most accurate answer to the question. Cells, on the other hand, are the structural and functional units of living organisms but do not represent the genetic information itself. RNA plays a key role in the process of translating DNA into proteins but is not the hereditary material passed from parents to offspring.