So you can be the carrier of more than one recessive gene?

[CelineBV]

This seems to be my case. I just found out recently. Even though my hair is mid brown, under intense sunlight many commented certain small, reddish tones can be seen. On a genetic exam, I tested positive for being both the carrier of the red-haired and blue eyes gene; I'm an Bb basically. It goes all the way back to my father's great-grandmother, the only redhaired with blue eyes in the family.

I know about being the carrier of a gene but of two recessive genes? Is that rare?

[Quackthulu2]

Short answer: yes

Quick crash course on genotype expression here:

Healthy humans have 23 pairs of homologues chromosomes, half form an egg, half from a sperm (in normal reproduction.) homologues because each one in the pair codes for the same stuff. If one side has a recessive gene, and the other has the dominant counterpart then the dominant gene will be expressed. If both are dominant, dominant will be expressed, if both are recessive, recessive will be expressed. But when a person has both the dominant and recessive form of a gene they dominant one will express, but the recessive one is still in their DNA and it can still be passed down to their offspring.

But that’s not really your question, the reason multiple recessive genes can be expressed on the same person is because each individual gene is just that, individual. Earlobe shape isn’t directly connected to eye color they are just two separate genes in the genome of which we have 20,000+ pairs.

The image is a Punnett square, just a simple way to visualize what I’m saying. If you are interested in genetics I can point you in the direction of some research you may enjoy.

[NamerOfStars]

Not only CAN you, you almost certainly ARE. Real quick, draw up a Punnett square with heterozgous parents, and look at the offspring. Phenotypically, you only have one of the four demonstrating the recessive trait. But if you count up the number of letters, there are as many small ones as big ones.

The recessive shall inherit the Earth.

[front2back]

Not particularly, the genese that determine hair color, eye color, facial hair color (for men), and even other hairs over your body are all different. So one can easily have multiple recessive genes that do not present themselves until the next or sometimes even later generations.

[CelineBV]

yeah genes are like rolling the dice aren't they?
Though if I'm the carrier for both blue eyes and red-haired genes, this means if I get with a natural red-haired man with also blue eyes, there is a higher chance my child would then get both recessive genes since I'm an Bb and not BB. So basically it's possible for me to have a baby with both of those recessive genes.

[BeMuse]

Odd are pretty high... You're rolling many 4 sided dice. rolling two 4s isn't anything magical.

[BeMuse]

Here's with 2 traits... Gregor Mendel...

[FilmGuy93]

Yes, absolutely. Our genetics are big melting pots

[CelineBV]

Interesting and the more hidden recessive genes we have as carriers, the higher the chances (if I were to get together with a red-haired man with blue eyes for example or a man that is already bb on other recessive genes) of the child inheriting at least one recessive gene.