How do characteristics of mother and father get transmitted in a human embryo?

Characteristics are transmitted through genetic inheritance via chromosomes. The mother contributes 23 chromosomes through the egg and the father contributes 23 through the sperm. 

When they fuse at fertilisation, the embryo receives 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) half from each parent. Each chromosome carries thousands of genes that code for traits like eye colour, blood group, height, and skin tone.