What genetics make blonde hair?

A genetic mutation that codes for the blond hair of Northern Europeans has been identified. The single mutation was found in a long gene sequence called KIT ligand (KITLG) and is present in about one-third of Northern Europeans.

Is being blonde genetic?

For thousands of years, people have both prized and mocked blond hair. Now, a new study shows that many can thank a tiny genetic mutation—a single letter change from an A to a G among the 3 billion letters in the book of human DNA—for their golden locks.

Where do people with blonde hair originate from?

Naturally-occurring blond hair is primarily found in people living in or descended from people who lived in the northern half of Europe, and may have evolved alongside the development of light skin that enables more efficient synthesis of vitamin D, due to northern Europe’s lower levels of sunlight.

Is blonde hair becoming rare?

Only two percent of people in the entire world are naturally blonde into adulthood. According to LiveScience, most kids that are born blonde — even the most platinum babies — shift to brown hair by the time they turn ten. It all comes down to genetics and the amount of melanin in an individual’s hair strands.

What causes a child to be born with blond hair?

This usually occurs when a recessive color gene in one parent comes through and mixes with another one. So a black-haired parent carrying a recessive gene for blond hair could potentially have a blond child if that gene is expressed and mixes with a blond gene from the other parent.

How does genetics affect a baby’s hair and eye color?

Here are some ways in which your baby’s primary features like hair color and eye color are influenced by genetics. Babies inherit multiple pairs of genes from each parent that play a role in determining hair color. These genes determine hair color as well as eye color and complexion.

Can you have a baby with different hair colors from different parents?

Parents with similar hair color may have a baby with a hue that’s slightly different, but within their color range. But surprise colors can certainly appear from parents with different hair colors. This usually occurs when a recessive color gene in one parent comes through and mixes with another one.

Can you be born with red hair and blue eyes?

Sometimes, however, the genetic stars align, and individuals are born with the rare combination of red hair and blue eyes. Gene characteristics fall into two categories: recessive and dominant. Parents share the blueprint of many features, from hair color to personality, in their genes.