Answer the following question given this paragraph: 

The gene theory is the idea that the characteristics of living organisms are controlled by genes, which are passed from parents to their offspring. A gene is a segment of DNA that has the instructions to encode a protein. Genes are located on larger structures, called chromosomes , that are found inside every cell. Chromosomes, in turn, contain large molecules known as DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Molecules of DNA are encoded with instructions that tell cells what to do. To see how this happens, click on the animation titled Journey into DNA at the following link: http://www. pbs. org/wgbh/nova/genome/dna. html .


Q: Which theory is the idea that the characteristics of living organisms are controlled by genes, which are passed from parents to their offspring?


A:
gene theory