The Science Behind: Eye Colors (Cover- Ishita Baghel)
I have always found the topic of eye colors fascinating. How is it that some people’s eyes change color? Is eye color really genetic? Are certain eye colors more attractive than others?
So I researched more about eye colors, and I was able to answer all the questions I had. Hopefully, this article about eye colors will answer your questions, too.
Why do some people’s eyes change color?
The part of the eye that is colored is called the iris. Melanin, a pigment in the iris, determines our eye color. Melanin shrinks or disperses when the pupil size changes, causing the eye color to change a little. If a baby’s eye color starts out light, it usually darkens within the first year of their life. This darkening happens because melanin develops with age, and the more melanin present in the iris, the darker the eye color is.
Is eye color genetic?
Human eye colors originate from three genes, passed down from parents to offspring. However, only two of those three genes are understood, and they give people common eye colors like green, blue, or brown.
So what are those two genes? They are called OCA2 and HERC2.
Humans have around 37 trillion cells in their bodies, each of which contains 23 chromosomes. OCA2 and HERC2 are two genes that are situated nearby each other in a part of the 15th chromosome. The OCA2 gene produces something called the P protein, which is a part of the development of cellular structures where melanin is stored. There are other genes that are involved in determining eye color, some of which are also responsible for determining skin and hair color, but OCA2 and HERC2 are the main ones.
Why are green eyes considered attractive?
In a survey, more than 20% of people said that they thought green eyes were the most attractive eye color. But why do people think green eyes are so attractive?
The most common eye color is brown. More than 70% of the population has brown eyes. Brown is followed by blue, hazel, amber, and finally, green. Only 2% of the people in the world have green eyes, making it a really rare eye color. To summarize, green eyes are probably considered the most attractive because of their rarity.
Until next time,
Keep wondering:)
Love,
Shruti
Sources:
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/why-are-my-eyes-changing-color
https://www.lunadna.com/blog/is-eye-color-genetic/
https://www.thelist.com/150818/the-truth-about-green-eyes/
https://albertonrecord.co.za/246747/two-percent-population-green-eyes-certain-parts-world-not-rare/
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Genetics-of-Eye-Color.aspx
https://www.aclens.com/Most-Common-Eye-Color