• Question: Why do we have similar features to my family

    Asked by Jace to Hannah, Joanna, Joe, Luis, Vincent on 16 Jun 2016.
    • Photo: Luis Perez Calderon

      Luis Perez Calderon answered on 16 Jun 2016:

      Because you have inherited DNA (genetic material) from your parents. This basically is the information that determines how your body works and also how it looks. Because your parents give you part of that DNA, you look like them. In the same way, because your parents gave you and to your brothers/sisters (if you have them) part of their DNA that’s why you look similar.

    • Photo: Hannah Grist

      Hannah Grist answered on 16 Jun 2016:

      Every person and animal is built from something called DNA: it’s like an instruction manual for building a human. What is written in your DNA manual determines what you look like, from the colour or your eyes to how tall you are.

      You got your DNA instruction manual from your mum and dad’s DNA instruction manuals: half from each. So, on average, you will look a bit like your mum and your dad mixed together. Because all your family have been sharing the same DNA instruction manuals, even if they have slightly different bits, you will all have some features that look similar.

    • Photo: Vincent Keenan

      Vincent Keenan answered on 21 Jun 2016:

      Your DNA contains the blueprint for building you! And you recieve half from your mum and the other half from your dad! This also happened to them with their parents, and so on! This is why relatives look similar, some of the same traits can be shared, like me, my dad and older brother all have big noses!!

    • Photo: Joe Nunez-Mino

      Joe Nunez-Mino answered on 21 Jun 2016:

      You inherent characteristics from both your parents which are passed on two you via your genes. Genes are effectively the recipe book that makes each one of us who we are. That doesn’t mean that you cant also have differences to your family, these happen regularly too.

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