Inherited traits from parents aren't just passed out in random fashion. Inherited traits are passed through the genes of parents to their children. Some traits are passed on only through the mother or only through the father. Others are passed on...
One of the most exciting aspects of having a child is to find out what traits she has inherited from her parents. Some traits are beneficial, while others may be harmful. The March of Dimes explains that inherited traits may be altered through...
The human genome--the whole of a person's DNA--contains thousands of genes. Each person has two copies of most genes, called alleles, with one allele inherited from the mother and one from the father. During development and throughout life, the...
Traits are characteristics each person has that make up everything about him. These can include physical characteristics such as appearance, as well as psychological characteristics, like a tendency to be creative or optimistic. Some traits,...
Genes are molecules of nucleotides that encode for the traits seen in organisms, including humans. Genes are the code used to create proteins. These proteins are used for human traits. Blue eyes, skin color, height and facial features are all...
There are a variety of reasons for dark circles under the eyes, which are medically defined as round, uniform areas of pigmentation underneath the eye area. Dark circles may be due to inherited traits, allergies or dehydration, stress or premature...
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a mental health disorder. Out of every three children who have the disorder two of them will continue to deal with the disorder into adulthood, notes the MayoClinic.com. The exact cause for...
The body composition, including the amount of body fat, is determined by a complex interplay of many factors. Some are environmental, such as the availability of food. Others are determined by genetics. Many others are composed of an interaction...
Brain tumors can arise from any of the diverse cells that make up the brain. The most common brain tumors in adults in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health, are gliomas, which arise from the supporting tissue in the brain, and...
Certain factors can help determine if a person is at risk for abusing drugs. Drug abuse can start at a young age, even if it does not fully develop until adulthood. The more risks a child is exposed to, the more likely drug abuse may occur. Risk...
Though it is not known exactly what causes depression, some studies have shown a correlation between vitamin deficiencies and depression. Some vitamins that may play a key role in mood and depression prevention include B vitamins such as vitamin...
Depression, also known as major depression or clinical depression, is a disease that affects the mind and the body. A chronic illness with long-term treatment implications, depression does not just go away on its own. Among the causes of the...
Niacin, also known as vitamin B-3, belongs to the group of eight B vitamins. As a group, the B-complex vitamins function to convert food into energy and help metabolize fats and proteins. In addition, the B-complex vitamins are necessary for...
Heart block may be caused for a number of reasons, and some of the causes result in specific types of heart block. Patients do not always have to exhibit signs and symptoms of heart blocks and may live for years without knowing they have a heart...
More than 25 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. About 60 to 70 percent of those with diabetes also suffer from neuropathy, which is a nerve disorder that over time can...
Major psychological disorders are conditions that disrupt the way a person thinks, feels, or is able to relate to others and function daily. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans who are 18...
Doctors use the general term "colitis" to describe inflammation of the large intestine, which includes the colon, cecum and rectum. Colitis may occur due to an infection, an inflammatory disease, a lack of blood flow or a malfunction of the large...
Depression can affect children, adults, teens, the elderly, men and women, but the underlying cause of the depression can vary from person to person. When looking for a cause for your depression or the depression of a loved one it is important not...
An ear infection is an inflammation and infection of the inner ear. Common among young children, the condition typically causes an earache, irritability, fever, temporary reductions in hearing and drainage of fluid from the ear, according to...
Attention deficit disorder, or as it is currently labeled attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, is generally diagnosed in childhood, but it may remain undiagnosed even until a person has children of his own. Parents with ADHD may...
The B vitamins are a class of water soluble vitamins which have various functions regarding cell metabolism within the body. All eight of the vitamins have individual names, however, when provided together they are referred to as Vitamin B...
Your diet and your health depend on each other. Every cell, organ and system of the body is fueled by nutrients. In turn, your body's health affects your ability to accomplish life's tasks, including eating. Everyone wants to feel healthy and...
Erectile dysfunction is also fairly common and has both physical and psychological causes. With erectile dysfunction, a man may experience difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection sufficient for intercourse. Every man may, at some point,...
Age 15 can defy the averages when it comes to the maturation and growth of boys and girls. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren website, boys and girls are well into puberty at this age and growth is one of the major...
Cholesterol is a good friend to have, but a bad one to keep. While cholesterol is important for important body functions, an excess causes several health problems that, if left untreated, may harm you and reduce your quality of life. Cholesterol...
Attention-deficit disorder, or ADD, affects millions of children, according to MayoClinic.com. In fact, on average at least one child in every classroom in the United States has ADD, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Children with...
ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a chronic condition that usually surfaces in childhood and may continue into adulthood. It is characterized by impulsive behavior, the inability to sustain concentration and hyperactivity. Both...
From the time of conception until life’s end, the human being continually develops, ever changing, ever growing. The miracle of life begins at fertilization, when two cells, an egg and a sperm, unite, each carrying half of the genetic...
Sometimes, children have temper tantrums. It’s a normal part of learning how to deal with emotions. What’s important is to differentiate between an occasional outburst and a consistent pattern of violence or aggression. If you...
Sickle cell anemia is a blood disorder that results in decreased blood and oxygen flow. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments for Sickle Cell Anemia in this video.
Sickle cell anemia or sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that causes some of the red bloods to assume a sickle or elongated shape, resulting in poor blood flow and improper oxygen delivery. Get expert tips and advice on preventing,...
