Heritable variation refers to differences in traits that can be passed from parents to offspring through genetic inheritance. This variation arises due to mutations, gene recombination during reproduction, and other genetic processes. Heritable traits can influence an organism's phenotype, including physical characteristics, behavior, and health. Understanding heritable variation is fundamental to the study of evolution, as it leads to natural selection, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, driving species adaptation and diversification over time.