Genetic heritage: scientists tell how appearance is transmitted through generations

The similarities between relatives, whether parents and children or more distant family members, have long been of interest to scientists from different countries. In some families, you can see striking similarities in facial features, while others have very little physical resemblance. The natural desire to understand how our appearance is formed makes us wonder what factors influence our facial features. It is for this reason that scientists have decided to reveal the main aspects that determine how much we will resemble our relatives or, conversely, differ from them, according to Discover Magazine.

Although genetics plays a key role in determining our appearance, the environment also has its influence on how we look. The main facial features are mostly shaped by genes. Studies conducted by scientists such as John R. Shaffer, a professor of human genetics at the University of Pittsburgh, have identified hundreds of genes that are associated with facial features. However, these discoveries cover only about 14% of all genes that can affect facial shape.

His colleague, Seth Weinberg, co-director of the Center for Craniofacial and Oral Genetics at the same university, emphasizes that despite the existing knowledge, there is still much to be learned. Genetic inheritance is polygenic, meaning that many genes simultaneously affect the development of different parts of the face. This is why family members can inherit common features, such as their grandfather's nose shape or their parents' chins, despite complex genetic interactions.

Although genetics play a key role in determining our appearance, the environment also has an impact on how we look. The main facial features are mostly shaped by genes. Studies conducted by scientists such as John R. Shaffer, a professor of human genetics at the University of Pittsburgh, have identified hundreds of genes that are associated with facial features. However, these discoveries cover only about 14% of all genes that can affect facial shape.

His colleague, Seth Weinberg, co-director of the Center for Craniofacial and Oral Genetics at the same university, emphasizes that despite the existing knowledge, much remains to be learned. Genetic inheritance is polygenic, meaning that many genes simultaneously affect the development of different parts of the face. That is why family members can inherit common features, such as the shape of their grandfather's nose or their parents' chin, despite complex genetic interactions.

Inheritance studies, particularly those involving twins, show that up to 80% of our facial features are genetically transmitted. John R. Shaffer's discoveries also point to the interconnection of genes responsible for the formation of the face and brain during development, emphasizing the "biological cross-talk" between them. However, the question of which parent has a greater influence on a child's facial features remains unresolved, and scientists like Seth Weinberg admit that research in this area is only at an early stage.

In addition to genetics, external factors also matter. Professor Benedict Hallgrimsson of the University of Calgary notes that factors such as malnutrition can affect facial development, causing changes that make a person appear older or taller than normal. Toxins from the environment, especially during pregnancy, can also affect facial development, adding a new level of complexity to the interplay between genes and external influences.

It remains an open question how a large number of genes shape specific facial features such as the nose or jaw shape. Researchers like Hallgrimsson wonder how thousands of genes work together to create these unique features, but the inheritance of genetic patterns is unchanging and confirms the importance of genetic heritage in our appearance.

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