Yes, skin color is primarily determined by genetics.
The Role of Genes in Skin Color
Our skin color is not a simple trait; it's influenced by multiple genes. These genes have different forms called alleles. According to Cheng, “We all carry mutant forms of skin color genes, or alleles, that result in our individual skin tones. Skin color alleles program a person's skin to have more or less melanin.” Melanin is the pigment that gives our skin, hair, and eyes their color. Different combinations of these alleles lead to the wide variety of skin tones we see in humans.
How Alleles Influence Skin Color
Here's a simplified breakdown of how these genes and alleles work:
- Melanin Production: Genes control the production and distribution of melanin.
- Allele Variation: Different alleles lead to different amounts of melanin.
- Individual Skin Tones: The combination of alleles we inherit determines our specific skin tone.
Genetic Basis of Skin Color
The provided reference clearly states that skin color is programmed by alleles in our genes. These alleles instruct our skin to produce varying levels of melanin, which is why people have such diverse skin tones. In summary, while external factors like sun exposure can cause temporary changes, our underlying skin color is predominantly inherited from our parents.
