2006-12-25 06:43:14 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
The genes for eye color determine the amount of melanin, a dark brown pigment, produced in the iris of the eyes. Blue eyes are due to a lack of melanin, while brown eyes indicate melanin-rich irises. Thus, people with darker hair and skin have higher levels of melanin and tend to have brown eyes, while people with lighter hair and skin have lower levels of melanin and usually have lighter colored eyes.
All Caucasian babies seem to have blue eyes at birth. But their true eye color whether hazel, blue or green may not reveal itself till several weeks or months. On the other hand, African-American, Latino or Asian babies who have dark skin usually have dark gray or brown eyes at birth, which become their true brown or black after the first six months or a year.
Newborn babies all have blue eyes because at the time of birth they haven't begun to produce melanin in their irises. A baby's eyes may change to green, brown or other colors as melanin production begins. Also, in blue eyes, the melanin tends to be only in the deeper layers, so more light is reflected and the eyes are a lighter color as a result.
Over a few months' time, the baby's color may change to attain its permanent eye color depending on the genes she has inherited from both parents. The amount of pigment in the eye is determined by a number of genes controlling pigment production. Generally speaking, brown is dominant, meaning that if one parent has brown eyes and the other has blue eyes, the baby will most likely have brown eyes.
Resources:
Read a more detailed explanation of eye color from Yahoo!
The Oregon-based Science Educational Partnership Web site provides a factsheet discussing the Mendellian genetics of eye color
February 8, 2003
2006-12-25 06:53:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
To protect from Ultraviolet light. Lighter colored eyes have higher instances of cancer. Different colors occured to attract the opposite sex. It helps create individuality. People tend to be more attracted to colors that are rarer.
2006-12-25 06:54:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
pigmentation. The more pigmentation the darker the eyes/skin/hair, the less pigmentation the lighter the eyes/skin/hair. Doesn't always hold true, but generally speaking.
2006-12-25 06:51:20 · answer #3 · answered by Sissy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would be more concerned how I raised her that she used the term "colored eyes". Other than that people of all races have dark eyes.
2006-12-25 06:51:09 · answer #4 · answered by jpbofohio 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Wow! You have got a little BIG thinker there! HAHAHA Precious! I wish I knew what to say.
2006-12-25 06:50:12 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. Right 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋