Maternally inherited
- Pronunciation
- /mə-ˈtər-nə-lē in-ˈher-ə-təd/
- Category
- Genetics
- Singular
- Maternally inherited
- Plural
- Maternally inherited
Definition
Describes traits or characteristics that are passed down from mother to offspring through her eggs.
Etymology
From Latin 'mater', meaning 'mother', and 'inherere', meaning 'to inherit'.
Example
The color pattern of the butterfly's wings is maternally inherited.
Related Terms
- Mitochondrial inheritance
- Maternal transmission