Where Did This Eye Color Come From?
- Author Hillary Glaser
- Published April 5, 2012
- Word count 657
Have you ever wondered where your unique shade of eye color comes from? Here is a more in-depth look into some of the origins of the colors of our eyes, and why they are the way they are.
Our shade of eye color is usually the first thing we notice during new meetings - especially with the opposite sex. It’s a big part of what we find attractive, and as with nearly all physical attributes, it’s often a staple in one’s personality. Have you ever wondered where exactly your color came from? Eye color is so unique - much like our thumbprint. However, unlike our thumbprint, our eyes can actually change from infancy throughout our growth. Why are our eyes so unpredictable? And where are these colors coming from?
The part of your eye that has color is called the iris. Color pigment, called melanin, produce the cells in your iris to give you your signature color. Interestingly enough, there are actually only three possible color pigmentation's available: green, brown, or blue. However, we all know that there are eyes out there that can not simply be described in one of the three above categories. What about hazel? Or grey? Of course, it all comes down to science.
It may seem like an obvious assumption that our eye color comes from our parents. Which it does. However, this process isn’t like mixing paint; it’s just not so "obvious". For eye color, everyone has a gene - as most of us know. However, if we’re looking a bit deeper into the science of eye color, every gene has two alleles available - out of four options. Brown and Blue are two of the color options for the possible alleles; they make up one locus. Green and lighter colored are the other two color options for the alleles, and they make up the other locus. The multitude of combinations of these alleles are what determine the exact mix of paint we’ll receive from our parents. In total, there are officially sixteen colors we could possible have.
While there are sixteen different options, the majority - twelve out of the sixteen - consist of some form of brown. The reason for this is that brown is a dominant gene, while blue is a recessive. Therefore, when someone has any combination of the color Brown in their alleles, most likely the outcome will be some kind of brown - even if it’s a very dark blue or a brownish-green (i.e. the color: Hazel). Although science claims there are only sixteen options, all of these eye colors are approximations. Therefore, every combination of alleles aren’t exactly the same.
On top of the fact that our eyes are all so uniquely made, they also have the ability to change colors! In the first year of our life, the melanin in the outer layers of our irises take awhile to begin to brown. Therefore, oftentimes babies are born with blue eyes - which can sometimes darken up as they grow. However, do adults eye colors change as well? The answer is: sort of. Our pupils tend to change in size, shape, and apparent color depending on several aspects, like: what we’re focusing on, emotions, etc. The reality is that the color does not really change; however, it appears to at times. For instance, when your pupil shrinks, all of the pigment gets compacted together, making the color appear darker.
Eye color is an incredibly interesting trait that we all have. Ultimately, if you do not like your eye color, it is possible to make it appear differently: simply wear colored contact lenses. While prescription eyeglasses can’t change the color of your eyes, it is generally safer to order glasses online, rather than contacts. If you wish to get colored contacts, speak to a doctor first. Otherwise, enjoy your genetically inherited eye color!
Hillary Glaser is a social networking specialist and expert in cross-media promotion, currently working on promoting prescription eyeglasses. She is the Director of Marketing and Special Projects for GlassesUSA.com - the easiest way to buy glasses. online, which now offers free shipping on all US orders with the code FreeShip10.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Enhancing Home Security with Aluminum Shutters: A Focus on Weatherwell Elite
- 5 Easy Ways to Make Oral Hygiene Fun for the Whole Family
- Transforming Plastic Extrusion Machines into Recycling Powerhouses
- Unraveling the Potential of Plastic Extrusion Machines
- The Rise of Plastic Recycling Machines: A Step Towards Sustainability
- Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream: OMG! Unreal!
- The Advantages of Using Professional Home Cleaners in Ilford
- 8 Compelling Reasons to Hire Professional Home Cleaners
- Send Money to Tanzania: Effortless Transfers with SafariRemit
- Stylish Savings: 10 Frugal Ways to Stay Fashionable in 2024
- Fly Cheap With FlightPapa To Any City
- How Collaborating with a Software Development Company Can Propel Your Business Forward
- A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Hair Transplant Method
- 15 Frugal Tips for a Memorable Wedding Day
- Credit Union vs. Bank
- Explore the Advantages of Renewable Energy: Wind, Solar, Biomass, Hydropower and Geothermal Energy
- Frugal Nutrition: How to Eat Healthy on a Budget
- Fintechzoom Richard Mille
- Who owns the most Bitcoin?
- Fintechzoom IBM Stock: Powerful!
- Building a Professional Website on a Budget: Using Free Tools like WordPress and AI
- Navigating Vietnam's Tourist Immigration: Challenges and Solutions
- Bitcoin FintechZoom
- Cost-Effective Gardening: Tips for Enhancing Your Garden on a Budget
- Steve Wozniak: WOZ
- Keeping Your Garage Door Running Smoothly: A Guide to Drum Replacement with GarageDoorMagnolia
- When Your Garage Door Goes Rogue: Off-Track Repair in Tacoma and Seattle
- Same Day Service? Kiki Garage Door Repairs Your Garage Door Fast in Sammamish, WA
- Cost-Effective Strategies for Business Owners in 2024: Maintaining Efficiency Without Reducing Staff
- Navigating Compliance for Personal and Professional Contributions