Question

Explain the genotypes and phenotypes of skin color. summarize the relationship between the number of active genes and color of the skin.

Answer 1

Human skin color is a polygenic trait, which means that multiple gene loci (with different alleles) are involved in its expression. It has been shown that there more than 350 genetic loci involved in determining skin color. Because of that, there is the enormous number of possible genotypes for the skin color and as a result, the phenotypes vary from the darkest brown to the lightest hues.  Different populations have different allele frequencies of genes for human skin color, and the combination of these allele variations brings about complex and continuous variation in skin coloration. Natural skin color can change due to exposure to sunlight (becomes darker) and that is the way it adapts to intense sunlight irradiation (protection against the UV exposure).

Answer 2

The inheritance of skin color genes is polygenic, meaning that many different genes are inherited and none are dominant, but rather they all work together to create a special blend of genes that you have. This is also influenced by environmental factors such as exposure to sun and similar.