Does eye color come from mom or dad?

Quick Peek:

Hey parents! Ever wonder where your kids get their eye color from? It’s a mix of your genes and your partner’s genes. Dominant genes always win, while recessive genes only show up if both copies are recessive. The color of the eyes is determined by the amount and type of pigment in the iris. Hazel and green eyes are a mix of different pigments. So, don’t be surprised if your baby blues turn into something completely different!

Does Eye Color Come from Mom or Dad?

Have you ever wondered where your eye color comes from? Is it from your mom or dad? The answer is both! Eye color is determined by a combination of genes from both parents.

The Science Behind Eye Color Inheritance

Every person has two copies of every gene, one from each parent. The color of your eyes is determined by the amount and type of pigment in your iris, which is controlled by multiple genes. Some genes are dominant, while others are recessive. Dominant genes will always be expressed, while recessive genes will only be expressed if both copies of the gene are recessive.

For example, if one parent has brown eyes (dominant) and the other has blue eyes (recessive), their child will inherit one copy of the brown eye gene and one copy of the blue eye gene. Since brown is dominant, the child will have brown eyes.

However, if both parents have blue eyes (recessive), their child will inherit two copies of the blue eye gene and therefore have blue eyes.

What Determines Eye Color?

Eye color is determined by the amount and type of pigment in the iris. The pigment is called melanin, and it is produced by cells called melanocytes. The more melanin you have in your iris, the darker your eyes will be.

There are two types of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin is responsible for brown and black eyes, while pheomelanin is responsible for green and hazel eyes. The amount and type of melanin in your iris is determined by your genes.

What About Hazel and Green Eyes?

Hazel and green eyes are a bit more complicated. They are a combination of eumelanin and pheomelanin, with a little bit of Rayleigh scattering (the same phenomenon that makes the sky blue) thrown in. This combination creates a unique color that can vary from person to person.

So, if one parent has green eyes and the other has brown eyes, their child may inherit a combination of eumelanin and pheomelanin that results in hazel or green eyes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, eye color is determined by a combination of genes from both parents. Every person has two copies of every gene, and the color of your eyes is determined by the amount and type of pigment in your iris. Dominant genes will always be expressed, while recessive genes will only be expressed if both copies of the gene are recessive. Hazel and green eyes are a combination of eumelanin, pheomelanin, and Rayleigh scattering. So, the next time someone asks you where your eye color comes from, you can confidently say that it comes from both your mom and dad!