Ginger Genes and Assumptions

In the last blog I told you that I got my red hair from my grandma. However, today I would like to more in depth at the genetics of redheads. It is a recessive gene, which means that someone from both your mother's and father's side of the family must also have red hair, which would show that both your parents have at least a possibility of having the red hair genes and passing them along to their children. Since neither of my parents have red hair, but both carried the right gene, I had a one in four chance of having red hair. If only one of the parents had the red hair gene, then there is no chance their child could have redhair, but there is a 50/50 chance that they will also be a carrier. I got the thick, wavy, and bright copper color of my hair from my father's mother. However, when my parents got divorced, I got a half sister who also has red hair. It drives me absolutely crazy when people who have just met us remark, "I could tell right away you were sisters from your red hair!" My sister's hair forms perfect ringlets, colored golden red. Her skin is the classic pale sprinkled with freckles, while I have almost no freckles and my skin is tinted a distinct shade of pink. I swear one day I'm going to be in a bad mood and when someone tells me how similar we look, I'm going to reply with "I don't know what you're talking about. She's adopted." Just to see the look on their face. I'm not sure my mother will appreciate it, though.
People, there are different shades of red hair just like there are different shades of brunette or blonde. Remember that the next time your gonna tell those two gingers how similar they look.