This article was originally published on Parentinfluence.com

Our family tree serves as a roadmap to our physical and mental traits. While we often look to our ancestors for the origins of our unique characteristics, there are certain genetic traits that we can only inherit from our immediate family members. If you want to know who’s responsible for your sweaty palms or your navigation skills (or lack thereof), we’re here to unveil the genetic secrets that are passed down exclusively within our immediate family.

Hair Color

In our modern society, when so many people opt to change their looks, it can be hard to tell a person’s natural hair color. If you want to tell someone’s natural hair color, a safe way to go about it is by checking their grandma’s hair. A person’s natural hair color is often inherited from their grandmother’s side due to the complex interplay of genetic factors. Scientists have found that hair color genetics typically follow a pattern where dominant hair colors, like brown or red, are passed down through generations, predominantly through the maternal lineage.

This is because the genes responsible for hair color are located on chromosomes, with one gene being inherited from each parent. If a grandmother possesses a dominant hair color gene, there’s a higher likelihood of it being passed on to her offspring. However, it’s important to note that while genetics play a significant role, environmental factors and the interplay of various genes can result in variations in hair color even within the same family.