The term biological parent refers to a parent who is the biological mother or father of an [[individual]]. While an individual's parents are often also their biological parents, it is seldom used unless there is an explicit [[difference]] between who [[acted]] as a parent for that individual and the [[person]] from whom they inherit half of their [[genes]]. For example, a person whose father has remarried may call his new wife their stepmother and continue to refer to their mother normally, though someone who has had little or no contact with their biological mother may address their foster parent as their mother, and their biological mother as such, or perhaps by her first name. | The term biological parent refers to a parent who is the biological mother or father of an [[individual]]. While an individual's parents are often also their biological parents, it is seldom used unless there is an explicit [[difference]] between who [[acted]] as a parent for that individual and the [[person]] from whom they inherit half of their [[genes]]. For example, a person whose father has remarried may call his new wife their stepmother and continue to refer to their mother normally, though someone who has had little or no contact with their biological mother may address their foster parent as their mother, and their biological mother as such, or perhaps by her first name. |