What is the field of study that focuses on patterns of inheritance and variations in organisms?

The field of study that centers around patterns of inheritance and variations among organisms is genetics. Genetics examines how traits are passed from parents to offspring and explores the mechanisms of heredity at the molecular level, including the roles of genes and alleles. It also investigates genetic variation within populations and how these variations can influence the evolution and adaptation of organisms over time.

Genetics is fundamental to understanding biological diversity, as it explains how specific traits are inherited and expressed in living beings. This understanding is crucial in various applications, including medicine, agriculture, and conservation biology, highlighting the significance of genetics in both theoretical and practical contexts.

While ecology studies interactions between organisms and their environment, and biochemistry focuses on chemical processes within and relating to living organisms, genetics specifically delves into heredity and the genetic basis of variation. Evolutionary biology, on the other hand, examines how evolutionary processes and changes occur over time but relies heavily on genetic principles to explain the mechanisms of these changes. Thus, genetics serves as the core discipline that directly addresses inheritance and variation.