The amount of melanin in the front layers of the iris is responsible for eye color.
Understanding Eye Color Determination
Eye color, a fascinating human trait, is not as simple as just having one gene determine it. Instead, it's a result of the amount and type of pigment present in the iris, specifically melanin.
Melanin's Role
- Melanin is the pigment responsible for coloring hair, skin, and eyes.
- The amount of melanin in the iris determines the eye color.
- People with brown eyes have a large amount of melanin in the iris.
- People with blue eyes have much less of this pigment.
The Genetics of Eye Color
While melanin is the key component, genetics plays a crucial role in how much melanin is produced. A region on chromosome 15 is known to play a major role.
- Specifically, there are several genes within this region that contribute to the variation in eye color.
Summary Table
| Eye Color | Amount of Melanin | Primary Genetic Location |
|---|---|---|
| Brown | Large amount | Chromosome 15 |
| Blue | Small amount | Chromosome 15 |
Eye color is primarily determined by the amount of melanin in the iris, with a specific region on chromosome 15 playing a significant genetic role in controlling melanin production. The more melanin, the darker the eye color.
