We receive a lot from our parents, but moms hand down traits and quirks that are uniquely captivating. Keep reading and discover the things you inherited from her.
Being sociable
Certain personality traits, such as extraversion, are often inherited from the mother. Extraversion defines how outgoing or introverted we are, shaping our social behavior and interactions. This aspect of our personality is heavily influenced by our mother’s genetic makeup.
Your hair color matches your moms
Hair color is another feature influenced by the mother’s genes. Melanin, which gives hair its color, is responsible for whether our hair is dark or light. This trait is primarily determined by the mother’s side. So, a baby’s hair color will mainly be determined by the mother’s hair color, depending on the combination of recessive and dominant genes.
Your body’s response to caffeine
Ever wondered why some people can down four cups of coffee before they start their day, while others can’t even think about it because it makes them jittery or anxious? While everyone’s body reacts differently, genetics could play a significant role. Genes inherited from parents might determine how well you handle coffee—or how poorly you do!
Does mom look young?
The aging process is largely influenced by our mother’s genetic material. While taking care of your physical and mental health can slow down aging, genetics also play a significant role. If you want an idea of how you’ll age, look at your mother, as our aging process is often determined by hers.
Sleeping Patterns
Our sleeping patterns aren’t just about habits or preferences like sleeping on our side versus our back. They’re also influenced by our genetic makeup, specifically inherited from our mothers. This includes factors like how many hours of sleep we need and our favorite sleep position, among other sleep-related traits.
Frizzy hair
If you’re curious about your hair texture, look to your mother. Her genetic material determines whether your hair will be straight, curly, or wavy, and so on. For instance, if your mother has dry or brittle hair, there’s a good chance you’ll inherit this. Likewise, if she has smooth hair, it’s likely you’ll inherit that trait too.
Body shape
Body shape is influenced by both environmental factors and genetics, but genetics play a significant role, especially from the mother’s side. The distribution of fat is inherited from maternal DNA, shaping our body and determining where we carry fat. For instance, whether we’re a pear shape or an hourglass shape often mirrors our mother’s body type.
Intelligence
Intelligence is determined by the genetic material of both parents, but certain aspects are inherited differently. It’s more likely to be inherited from the mother because intelligence genes are located on the X chromosome. Women carry two X chromosomes, making it more probable that intelligence genes are passed from this side, compared to the father who only has one X and one Y chromosome.
Sense of taste
A person’s sense of taste and their food preferences are often linked more closely to the genetic DNA of the mother than the father. Therefore, a child is more likely to inherit their mother’s food preferences. Studies have shown that children typically mimic their mother’s food preferences, which can influence preferences for salt, sour, spice, and sweet flavors.
Emotional intelligence
Genetic studies have suggested that emotional intelligence is largely determined by the genetic material of the mother. While some aspects of emotional intelligence are learned, much of it is predetermined through genetics. How someone responds to situations, their level of empathy, and how they relate to others are traits inherited from the mother’s side.
Height
Height is not solely determined by either the mother or father. However, the tall gene is typically passed from the father, while the small gene is passed from the mother. So, depending on your height, you can determine which side you inherited it from. This division has an evolutionary basis: the male gene tends to promote growth for survival, while the mother’s gene prioritizes efficient nutrient use over excessive growth.
Fingerprint pattern
The pattern of fingerprints is influenced by maternal genetics. The general pattern type of your fingerprint is determined by your mother’s pattern type. However, each fingerprint is unique, so while the general pattern may be inherited from the mother, the individual details are personal and won’t exactly replicate either parent.
Immune system development
The immune system is crucial for our health, protecting us from viruses, bacteria, and other threats. The majority of our immune system is inherited from our mother. The maternal genetic DNA influences the child’s immune system. Additionally, from birth, the mother’s immune system is passed to the baby through the placenta, helping to keep them healthy and well.
Skin tone
Skin color is polygenic, meaning it’s determined by the combination of many genes. So, in a sense, skin tone is random. However, studies suggest that most of the influence comes from the DNA of the parents, with the mother’s genes more likely to be reflected in the child’s skin tone. Still, it’s a combination of both parents that determines it.
Blood type
Blood type, like most genetic traits, is inherited from a combination of both parents. The child inherits two different alleles, so the blood type can be a combination of both mother and father. However, scientific research suggests that in the majority of cases, the child’s blood type is more likely to match that of the mother. Despite being a combination, the mother’s blood type is often continued by the child.
Metabolism
Metabolism plays a significant role in our overall health, influencing various aspects of our well-being. It’s largely attributed to the mother because most metabolic traits are linked to mitochondria, which are solely passed down from the mother. Therefore, a mother’s metabolism is often similar to her child’s, which can also affect factors like weight.
Teeth problems
Maternal genetics influence dental issues and the risk of certain dental problems. While dental health is largely influenced by how we care for our teeth, our diet, and our oral hygiene practices, aspects such as the structure and development of teeth are influenced by the mother’s DNA.
Red-green color blindness
Red-green color blindness is inherited from the mother’s genes through an X-linked recessive pattern. This means that males are more likely to inherit it because they can carry the gene and be affected, while females can be carriers without being affected themselves. While not all types of color blindness are inherited from the mother, the gene for red-green color blindness comes from the woman’s DNA.
Bad Vision
Our vision and vision problems are largely determined by the genetic DNA of the maternal genes. Conditions such as blurred sight, short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and other vision issues are inherited from the female side. So, if your mother needs glasses, it’s likely—but not certain—that you may need them at some point too.
Varicose veins
Varicose veins are a predisposition inherited solely from the mother. These enlarged, twisted, or swollen veins have a distinct appearance, often more visible through the skin than normal veins. They are more common in women and are linked to the X chromosome, making it more likely for women to develop them.
Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases are complex disorders in which the body attacks its own healthy cells, posing serious health risks. While much about autoimmune diseases remains to be understood, it is known that they predominantly (but not exclusively) come from the genetic material of the mother. Female genes have a stronger link to the HLA gene, which is associated with autoimmune diseases.
Weight issues
A child’s weight is largely determined by the weight of the mother and their genetics. The maternal gene for weight is more significant than the paternal gene. Although weight can be managed, genetics play a major role. Weight factors are typically attributed to the mother’s side, which largely determines the child’s natural weight.
Migraines
Migraines are a predisposition solely inherited from the mother. They can vary in severity and types. Migraines are not affected or passed down by the male gene, so they always come from the genetic material of the woman. While it’s not guaranteed to be inherited, it’s likely to be.
Mental health issues
Some mental health conditions are inherited solely from the mother’s DNA. For instance, conditions linked to the mitochondria, such as neuroticism, are inherited from maternal DNA. This includes traits like anxiety, stress, sadness levels, and mood swings. These mental health issues are solely inherited from the mother.
Sense of direction
Our sense of direction is something we inherit from our mother. While it can be improved with practice, our natural ability for navigation and homing skills is determined by genetics and cannot be learned. This natural sense of direction comes directly from our mother’s genetics.
Blood clotting disorders
Certain types of blood clotting disorders can be solely influenced by our maternal genetics. These disorders, often hereditary, are inherited from the female DNA. One of the most common examples is gene mutations like Factor V Leiden and prothrombin. If blood clotting disorders are present on the maternal side, they are more likely to be inherited.
Endometriosis risks
The likelihood of developing endometriosis is solely inherited from the mother. While the genetics of endometriosis are complex and not fully understood, studies indicate a higher likelihood of inheritance from the maternal side rather than from paternal genetics.
Pain threshold
Our pain threshold and sensitivity are solely inherited from our mother’s genetics. This includes how we experience and cope with pain. A high pain threshold means someone can handle a lot of pain and cope better, while a low pain threshold means they feel pain more acutely. These traits are inherited from the mother.
Iron absorption
Iron absorption is influenced by maternal genes. It’s a vital process for our physical and mental health as iron is essential for various bodily functions. The ability of our body to absorb and utilize iron depends entirely on the genetic makeup of the mother. Any iron disorders are solely inherited from the maternal DNA.
Birth weight
A baby’s birth weight is influenced significantly by genetics, which might be more than you realized. While environmental factors like the mother’s health during pregnancy, her diet, and whether the baby was born prematurely are crucial, genetics also play a major role. The birth weight is determined by the mother’s genetic makeup as well.
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, Cover Photo: Can