MadSci Network: Genetics |
Genes are inherited from both parents; one copy from the mother and one from the father. I'm sure you're familiar with the idea of dominant and recessive traits. A dominate trait will be seen if the dominant gene is present even in one copy. A recessive trait will be seen only if the progeny inherited a recessive gene from both parents. In general, the darker colors are dominant over the lighter colors, this applies to hair, eye and skin color. However, color is not denoted by just one gene. There seems to be multiple genes that specify hair, eye and skin color -- this is still being worked out. So depending on what combination of genes were inherited, then yes, the child of the above couple can be darker than either parent.
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Genetics.