How a single genetic change creates the striking look of ginger hair
In short: While ginger hair is visually striking, it represents an incredibly tiny variation within the human genome. This video explores the specific gene responsible for this pigment shift and why such a visible trait is actually a minor genetic deviation.
Researcher Andrew Beale explains that the appearance of ginger hair is governed by the melanochortin1 receptor (MC1R) gene, located on chromosome 16. This gene dictates the specific type of pigment produced in an individual's hair.
The transition from brown to ginger hair is caused by a single-nucleotide polymorphism—a single base change within the gene. Despite the significant visual impact this has on a person's appearance, it is a remarkably insignificant difference when compared to the 3 billion base pairs that constitute the human genome.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Chromosome 16 - Genetically ginger
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