The Family Code: Genetic Traits Only Inherited From Our Immediate Family Members

Inherited From: Father
Note: Gender is solely determined by the father 

Whether you are interested in genetics or not, you would probably be aware of the commonly known fact that our genders are determined by our father’s genes even when the neonatal period takes place inside the mother’s womb. 

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That is because the gene that determines your gender, called the SRY gene, is present on the Y chromosome, which is only present in males. Since women have two X chromosomes and no Y chromosome, their genes are not responsible for deciding whether their child will be a girl or a boy. 

Inherited From: Mother 
Note: All fingerprints are different but yours may resemble your mother! 

Your fingerprint patterns are your own; in fact, they are the only thing in the world that can distinguish you from the billions of people on this planet. But that does not mean only you are responsible for your fingerprints: your mother had a major role to play in them. 

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And we do not say that just because they developed while you were in your mother’s womb, but rather because she passed down particular genes to you that dictated the shape and patterns of your fingerprints. Nobody has ever had fingerprints like you, nor will anyone in the future ever will. Despite that, fingerprints are a genetic trait. Quite fascinating, right?

Inherited From: Father 
Note: It is not 100% known if dimples are truly inherited or not

Everyone absolutely loves dimples, whether they be on men or women. They are one of the world’s most widely adored genetic mutations, and the fashion industry and general notions of beauty are to be held accountable for their popularity. 

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So how do we get dimples? Although there are various surgical and non-surgical ways to get fake dimples, the primary culprit is our genes. Yes, dimples are a genetic trait that we typically get from our fathers! So, if you have or do not have dimples, you can be grateful to or blame your father, respectively. 

Inherited From: Mother 
Note: You may get your height-related genes from your mother 

One of the most common physical traits that both men and women are conscious of, apart from their body weight, is their height. Not everyone in the world has the height they want, and sadly, there isn’t much you can do to alter your height, whether you want to make it shorter or taller. But did you ever wonder why your height is the way it is? The answer lies in the genes your mother passed on to you. 

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Most people believe that the father’s height determines the height of the sons, while the mother’s height usually corresponds with that of the daughters. Although numerous variations can occur, the mother’s genes determine the height of both genders of her children.

Inherited From: Mother  
Note: Your mood may resemble your mother if you are a female 

Have you ever had your frustrated father complain that you act just like your mother when you are angry or when you need something? Do not think of it as just your father’s judgment or hunch, as it is backed by scientific evidence! 

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Research suggests that you are highly likely to inherit your mother’s corticolimbic system, which is the section of the brain responsible for regulating your feelings, emotions, and even bouts of depression. This is even more likely if you are a female since daughters are more likely to inherit their mother’s mood-controlling genes than sons.

Inherited From: Mother  
Note: Knowing your family history is important 

Extensive studies have been conducted to know more about the mysterious Alzheimer’s disease that can quite literally obliterate even your best and worst memories. Since Alzheimer’s is hereditary, advancements in research in this domain have provided substantial evidence to prove that our memory greatly depends upon the genes we get from our mothers. 

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That is what makes looking into your family history of diseases well in time critical, as it can help you prepare and identify potential signs and symptoms of the onset of hereditary diseases, especially those associated with memory. 

Inherited From: Mother  
Note: Your teeth may resemble your mother’s 

It is common to think that the constant toothache that troubles you and the sensitivity that holds you back from enjoying your favorite flavor of ice cream is nothing but an unfortunate coincidence. That is not entirely true because your teeth health is greatly determined by your genes, especially the ones you get from your mother!

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This is enough stimulus for you to sit aside and compare your teeth with your mother’s. You will be surprised to realize if you haven’t already, that both of you have quite similar dental conditions, if not exactly the same! So if you have crooked teeth, it is highly probable that your mother had them too, and got them fixed with braces in her teenage years!

Inherited From: Mother, Father   
Note: How much, why, and how you sneeze can be hereditary 

Sneezing is a perfectly normal and uneventful occurrence that we have never thought about for more than a brief seconds before its onset. That is why you will be surprised to know that sneezes are not as random as you may have thought and are genetic! 

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The way you sneeze, its sound and even the frequency are significantly determined by the genes your parents pass on to you. You must already know that your sneezes significantly match any of your parents; you just hadn’t realized it before you read this! Keep an ear out for the next time you and your parents sneeze (not in a creepy way), and rack your brain for similarities. 

Inherited From: Grandma
Note: Wrong diet is not the only reason why you can’t lose weight 

Are you on a strict diet and exercise regimen but are still not able to lose weight the way you envisioned yourself to? The problem may not completely lie in the kind of diet and exercise you choose, but also with your grandparents. 

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The reason behind this is not how she must incessantly feed you food whenever you visit her house but rather the genes she passed on to you through your mother or father! Research suggests that your ability to lose weight may depend on your grandma’s to do the same. So blame your grandma’s genes, not her food! 

Inherited From: Mother  
Note: Chances are you may have your mother’s laugh lines

Laugh lines are one of the most adorable features in humans, simply because it is an exhibition of the joy and happiness in their lives. What is better than having a symbol of your happiness etched onto your face? This may make sense if you like your laugh lines, but may seem stupid if you don’t. 

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Research offers you someone to blame if you fall within the latter category: your mother. Studies show that although environmental factors and lifestyle choices have a pivotal role to play in the appearance of symptoms of aging, the genes you get from your mother are an accomplice as well. 

Inherited From: Mother  
Note: Your focus and attention span can be hereditary

Have you ever faced issues focusing on the task at hand, no matter how motivated you may be to complete it? The fault here may not lie completely with you (or your phone, as your parents and teachers would say) but rather with your genes. 

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Research suggests that you may get your ability to focus from your mother, and this is because women with relatively low serotonin levels are highly likely to give birth to children with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). Since serotonin is also responsible for regulating our attention and focus, lower production of this chemical in mothers can cause the same in their children, hampering the ability to focus. 

Inherited From: Father 
Note: All reproductive characteristics do not come from the mother 

It is natural to relate all matters regarding reproduction and fertility to women simply because it is their biological area of expertise. This approach to life is wrong because fertility, with all of its factors, is a genetic trait determined by your father’s genes. 

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The same goes for the genes for infertility, which typically follow the male pipeline. But it is probable for this gene to go into recession in a couple of generations, exhibiting itself as a dominant trait several ages down the line. This is another of the reasons that makes knowing your family’s health history critical. 

Inherited From: Grandmother   
Note: You can get your grandmother’s dominant hair color genes 

A great majority of men and women around the globe dye their hair, and although that has a lot to do with wanting change after a heartbreak and getting bored with monotony, a prominent reason behind it is people believing they look much better with a hair color other than their natural one. If that is the case for you, you have your grandmother to blame because hair color is a genetic trait you get from her! 

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Although it is possible – and very common – for dominant hair color genes to exert their power over your grandmother’s recessive genes, research suggests that your natural hair color is highly likely to be similar to your grandma’s. 

Inherited From: Mother  
Note: It is not 100% known where you get your intelligence from 

If you have ever heard your dad boast to a bunch of his friends about how you are so smart and exactly like him, let him have his couple minutes of fame because your intelligence is a hereditary trait that is not determined by your father’s genes, but rather your mother’s! 

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So if you are academically gifted and intelligent, go give your mother a big hug and even buy her a good present because you owe your life accomplishments to her. But do not neglect your father completely because some aspects related to intelligence have also been found to come from the male gene!