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A Moment of Science: Heterochromia

Series: A Moment of Science
From: WFIU
Length: 00:02:02

Know anyone with two different colored eyes? It's caused by a condition called Heterochromia. Find out more on this Moment of Science. Read the full description.
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A Moment of Science: Heterochromia
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WFIU

861718483927e1bfcab_small Know anyone with two different colored eyes? The condition is called heterochromia. Eye color, like hair and skin color, is a result of melanin. Thus, when the eyes of an individual are different colors, the reason almost certainly has something to do with that person's melanocytes, the cells that manufacture pigment. Find out more on this Moment of Science. Photo: Heterochromia Iridis by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sci7071

A Moment of Science: Heterochromia | 00:02:02

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Piece Description

Know anyone with two different colored eyes? The condition is called heterochromia. Eye color, like hair and skin color, is a result of melanin. Thus, when the eyes of an individual are different colors, the reason almost certainly has something to do with that person's melanocytes, the cells that manufacture pigment. Find out more on this Moment of Science. Photo: Heterochromia Iridis by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sci7071

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Stephanie Roach

Posted on October 07, 2008 at 07:57 PM | Permalink

Review of A Moment of Science: Heterochromia

And, having two different color eyes looks cool! The only element missing was acknowledging how people perceive people affected with heterochromia. I have always wondered about this phenomenon, and was fascinated by this short but technical explanation. The piece is engaging, and would serve well as a conversation starter in a classroom or at the dinner table!

Transcript

Know anyone with two different colored eyes?

The condition is called heterochromia. Eye color, like hair and skin color, is a result of melanin. Thus, when the eyes of an individual are different colors, the reason almost certainly has something to do with that person's melanocytes, the cells that manufacture pigment.

Eye pigment works like this: lots of pigment makes eyes brown, some pigment makes eyes green, and little to no pigment makes eyes blue. Most often, heterochromia is a result of some mishap in the life of one's melanocytes, resulting in a blue eye not exhibiting the pigment of its darker-colored partner.

What can go wrong with melanocytes? They can get lost. Most of the melanocytes in our bodies are produced in one location in utero and have to journey to their individual destinations. To get to where they belong, other cells have to send them the proper signals....
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