I dont understand how instinct is transferred from parent to the child through genetics. How can a memory or behaviour be stored in genes? For example a snake has the instinct to hiss but how was that transferred from the parent to the child through genes? And how does it go from being just a genetic memory to actually go into the brain of the new animal and make them perform that behaviour?
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Think of it more like hard-wired responses to sensory input. Prey animals which have their adrenal response triggered upon seeing movement in their peripheral vision were eaten less and thus procreated more. As a result, that species has evolved an instinct to run away or fight whenever a potential predator is nearby.
Likewise in your example with snakes, those which naturally felt inclined to hiss at potential threats were more likely to scare off predators and larger animals and thus not get eaten or stepped upon. Thus making them more likely to survive, procreate, and pass down genes with the same inclination.
Interestingly, it becomes a feedback loop. Animals which naturally stayed away from a hissing snake were less likely to be bit and thus suffer the consequences of snake venom. Again, making them more likely to survive and pass down those connections.
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