The sum-total of a creature's characteristics are called it's phenotype. It results directly from the sum-total of the genetic material [and co-factors] - the GENOTYPE.
Other topics are karyotypes and haplotypes.
determined
The characteristics of a living thing are determined by its DNA.
Inherited ones
yes
Cells
She was kind, generous, determined and courageous
gene and alleles
Many of a person's characteristics are determined by an interaction between genes and the environment. You're welcome...
The sun
they are pre-determined characteristics of an individual
phenotypic
amino acid sequence