Johann H
Every family’s got its traditions, and apparently, so do genes. Some traits take a direct route through mothers, skipping dad’s influence entirely. It’s not random but that’s simply how inheritance works for certain parts of our biology. This article breaks down five specific traits that science recognizes as typically passed down through the maternal line.
Your Birth Weight And Growth Rate As A Baby
Hospital records capture more than just numbers when noting a newborn’s weight. Growth patterns in infancy are heavily shaped by maternal mitochondrial activity and how well the placenta functions. Since both are maternal in origin, they often establish the pace of early development right from the start.
Your Birth Weight And Growth Rate As A Baby (Cont.)
Maternal influence on early growth also comes from epigenetic markers in egg cells. These chemical tags which are laid down before fertilization, can activate or silence growth-related genes in the embryo. Since the egg provides the early blueprint, the mom’s biological signals shape development before any cellular growth even begins.
Your Risk Of Color Vision Deficiency If You’re Male
When boys inherit their single X chromosome, it comes directly from their mother. If that X carries the gene for red-green color blindness, the condition will likely appear since there’s no second X to offset it. In these cases, maternal inheritance is the only pathway.
Your Risk For Color Vision Deficiency If You’re Male (Cont.)
One reason red-green color blindness stays common in males is that mutation hotspots cluster within the opsin gene array. This region passed through the maternal X chromosome, is prone to unequal crossover during egg formation, and the resulting structural instability increases the chance of inheriting flawed color-detecting genes.
Your Chances Of Experiencing Migraine Disorders
Migraines often feel like they run in families, and they frequently do along the maternal branch. Certain mitochondrial mutations that affect nerve cell signaling and blood vessel regulation are inherited only from mothers. These changes may raise the likelihood of developing recurring and chronic migraine episodes.
Your Chances Of Experiencing Migraine Disorders (Cont.)
Research suggests serotonin pathways play a key role in migraines, and variations in serotonin receptor genes can increase the brain’s reactivity to normal stimuli. These gene variants, often tracked through maternal family history, influence how the brain reacts to different triggers during migraine onset.
Your Pain Sensitivity
Pain tolerance can differ dramatically from one person to the next. This variation is influenced by how well nerve cells manage energy and inflammation. Since mitochondrial DNA, which controls cellular energy output, is inherited only from mothers, it leaves a direct imprint on how pain is felt and processed.
Your Pain Sensitivity (Cont.)
Variants in the COMT gene, which regulates how quickly pain-related neurotransmitters are broken down, can shape whether discomfort fades quickly or lingers. Since this gene sits on the X chromosome, the pain sensitivity pattern is inherited from the mother, especially in sons, who lack a second X chromosome to offset the effect.
Your Body Temperature Regulation In Infancy
In early life, warmth doesn’t just come from swaddles and cuddles. A baby’s ability to regulate temperature depends heavily on maternal mitochondrial DNA. These maternal instructions affect how brown fat cells generate heat, helping newborns maintain a stable body temperature during their most vulnerable stage of development.
Your Body Temperature Regulation In Infancy (Cont.)
Some genes tied to thermoregulation sit on the X chromosome, and certain maternal variants may influence how quickly infants respond to cold. These genes help control shivering and blood vessel constriction, which is crucial for newborns’ ability to adjust to external temperatures after birth.
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