Extranuclear inheritance refers to the genetic information that is passed down to offspring through sources other than the nucleus of the cell. This type of inheritance is commonly observed in mitochondria and chloroplasts, which contain their own DNA. Synonyms for extranuclear inheritance include cytoplasmic inheritance, maternal inheritance, and organelle inheritance. These terms all refer to the transfer of genetic material from the cytoplasm of egg cells to their offspring, rather than through the nucleus of the cell. Extranuclear inheritance can account for a variety of genetic traits and is an important area of study in evolutionary biology and genetics.