Concept:
Heredity refers to the biological process through which characteristics are transmitted from parents to offspring through genes. These inherited characteristics may include physical features, behavioural tendencies, and mental traits.
Genes carry hereditary information from one generation to the next.
Step 1: Examine Assertion (A).
The assertion states that heredity is the transmission of traits from parents to offspring through genes.
This statement is correct because genes are the carriers of hereditary information.
Step 2: Examine Reason (R).
The reason explains that heredity is the passing of physical and mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another.
This statement is also correct.
Step 3: Determine whether the reason explains the assertion.
The reason correctly explains the meaning and process described in the assertion.
Hence:
\[
\boxed{\text{Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)}}
\]
Therefore, the correct answer is:
\[
\boxed{(A)}
\]