Red Hair: Red hair is another gene for hair color present on a different chromosome.It blends its effect with other hair colors. Redness of the hair seems to be caused by a single gene pair with two alleles, red (G) or no red (g), and displays incomplete dominance. Thus, if a person has two genes for red (GG), the hair will be a more intense red than if they have a single gene (Gg). If a person has no genes for red (gg), then the hair does not show as red at all. Red hair is complicated by the fact that dark pigment, controlled by the many hair color genes, may mask or hide the red color. The darker the brown, the less the red shows through, although more shows with (GG) than with (Gg). As the hair becomes lighter in color, more red shows through. If your child is blond as evidenced by 3 Capitals or less above and (GG) lands facing up, then your child will probably have flaming red hair. Auburn might be (Gg) with the lighter shades of pigmentation.   Back to Front Page Back to Teacher's Information Page Back to Student's Instructions and Materials Back to Genotype -> Phenotype Classroom Booklet

GG = Heavy Red Pigment Gg = Medium Red Pigment rr = No Red Pigment