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| The portrait of Moh. Mirza Nuryady, S.Si., M.Sc., the Biology Education Lecturer at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang. (Photo by Laili PR of UMM) |
Behind every child's adorable face is a genetic inheritance story closely tied to both parents. It is not just similar physical features but also other genes carrying traces of character inherited.
The inheritance of traits from parent to child has been a focus of study in biology since Mendel's concept was discovered. It was explained by the Biology Education Lecturer at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Moh. Mirza Nuryady, S.Si., M.Sc. As he said, this concept illustrates how genetics can influence individual traits.
The man known as Mirza said that every child carries 46 chromosomes, half inherited from their mother and father, respectively. On the other hand, the role of sex chromosomes cannot be ignored. Women carry two X chromosomes (XX), while men have one X and Y chromosome (XY).
In this context, the father is not only the leader of the family but also plays a significant role in determining the various physical aspects that children will inherit. One usual trait influenced by the father's genetics is height. A person's height often correlates with their parents’ height, especially if the genes that control growth are strong and dominant.
"Physical abilities, such as muscle strength and endurance, are also usually inherited from the father. When you see a child with outstanding athletic skills or physical abilities, it is probably due to a genetic combination passed on by the father. On the other hand, skin color, body shape, or anything else is also inherited from the father," added Mirza.
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Meanwhile, the mother's role in genetic inheritance focuses more on psychological and behavioral aspects, such as the ability to think, learn, and solve problems. Moreover, intellectual and emotional intelligence has strong genetic roots. In addition, emotional aspects also tend to be more influenced by maternal genes. An example is the capability to manage emotions, feel empathy, and maintain emotional stability.
It is not only that positive traits can be inherited, but also the risk of genetic diseases, like hemophilia, diabetes, cholesterol, etc. The gene responsible for this is located on the X chromosome. "Because the mother has two X chromosomes, the chance of inheriting these diseases is greater in daughters than sons who only have one X chromosome from their mother," he explained.
This genetic inheritance will continue from generation to generation, even if the individual lives in good health. "However, it is important to remember that this is not a fixed rule. It depends on whether the genes are dominant or recessive. If the dominant gene comes from the mother, then the child will follow the mother's characteristics. And vice versa," he concluded. (imh/*/lai/wil)
