General Question

blank_jane's avatar

What determines hair color and skin color?

Asked by blank_jane (1points) July 29th, 2009

So, for example, is the determination purely dominant versus recessive and chance?

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2 Answers

dpworkin's avatar

They are both polygenetic traits, meaning more than one gene is associated with each. For that reason they do not necessarily follow the classic Mendellian pattern of predictible outcomes.

fireinthepriory's avatar

@pdworkin is right. The distribution of polygenic traits (think height) usually come out to look like a bell curve, which is why both of these traits look like continuums rather than something where you can affix “dominant” or “recessive” to a particular color.

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