Question of the day: Think of one trait that not everyone in your family shares.

Why do you think some members of your family have the trait? Why does everyone else not have the trait?

How are traits determined? Most genes have two or more variations called alleles (pronounced uhleel). For most traits people have two alleles. They get one from their mom and one from their dad. Some alleles are dominant and some alleles are recessive. When they are together they determine what type of the trait a person has.

Straight hairline

Widows peak hairline

A widows peak hairline is dominant where a straight hairline is recessive.