Traits you can only inherit from your mother and others from your father

You might have heard that certain traits are inherited from your mother or your father. We inherit DNA from both of our parents and some traits passed on to offspring are from mothers and other fathers. Every offspring differs depending on the traits of the parents. But the question is, which? Check out this article to learn more.

We inherit two traits, one from our mother and the other from our father. The distribution is pretty balanced, but there is a very minor difference between males and females. Females inherit 50% of their DNA from their mothers and the other 50% from their fathers. On the other side, males inherit 51% of their DNA from their mother and 49% from their father.

Dad’s Genes

Now let’s have a look at some examples of traits that are passed down from father.

Father height

Both parents passed on their height genes to their children, but the father’s IGF genes have a greater impact on the stimulation of growth and therefore height.

Father: Dental issues

From crooked teeth to cavities, all dental problems of yours are due to your father’s genes. This is usually the case when your father has poor dental health.

Father: Sex

Father mainly determines the child’s sex; the child’s sex is determined by the X and Y chromosomes, namely XX for females and XY for males. Every egg has an X chromosome and then, depending on the chromosome of the father’s sperm ( X or Y), the embryo will develop into either a male or female.

Father: Y-linked disorders

Y chromosomes are passed down from fathers, leading to Y-linked disorders such as webbed toes and hairy ears (hypertrichosis of the ears).

Father fat storage

Our body stores two kinds of fats: Brown fat, which is inherited from the mother, is usually used to break down glucose. White fat is inherited from the father. This kind of fat is used for energy but can accumulate and cause health problems such as heart disease and obesity.

Mom’s genes

Now have a look at the traits that children inherit from their mothers.

Mother: Eye conditions

Both eyesight and eye structure are inherited from mothers. Pathological myopia is one of the eye conditions that can be passed on through genes. Colour blindness is also a trait that a child inherits from their mother. Males are particularly affected.

Mother: Physical features

There are some physical features you can thank or blame your mother for. These include your hair colour and texture, as well as your hairline. In addition to your hair, your skin and even varicose veins can also be inherited from your mother.

Mother: Menstruation and menopause

Women can inherit the time when they start menstruating and when they enter menopause from their mothers.

Mother intelligence

No doubt, socioeconomics and education do affect IQ, but studies conducted by Glasgow’s Medical Research Council Social and Public Health Sciences Unit found that a person’s intelligence is inherited from their mother’s IQ.

Mother: Sleeping patterns

Research has found that children inherit their sleeping patterns from their mothers. Children of mothers who suffer from insomnia tend to take a long time to sleep.

Mother: Metabolism

Our ability to gain or lose weight can be inherited from our mother. But obviously, genetics play a small role when compared to lifestyle choices.

Mother: Mood

The amygdala, hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex are parts of the corticolimbic system, that regulate emotions and are implicated in illnesses like depression. Daughters are more likely than sons to inherit their mother’s corticolimbic system’s structure.