OCA2 Gene - Hair Color Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

OCA2 Gene - Hair Color - Essay Example I will analyze the Oculocutaneous Albinism gene type 2 (OCA2) and its effect on color change of the hair and how different individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds are affected. Oculocutaneous Albinism Type II and Hair Color Changes Identification of OCA2 may have the following implications on a child or individual: A change in the color of the hair or an elevated color levels in hair, the iris is normally translucent, dancing eyes that may lead to impaired vision, or a general eye complication that makes it difficult to have a normal vision. OCA is normally diagnosed in a child or an adult with poor vision or reduced visual contact. In addition, these individuals often have a change in skin complexion and a different hair color that is considered not normal. In dark skinned affected individuals, it is easier to identify OCA2 because the skin may lighten and the color of the hair changed. In light-skinned individuals however, it may be more difficult; hence, there is need to conside r the other symptoms like a change in iris color. Albinism does not discriminate and affects all races. Our case type 2 is mostly evident in individuals in African and African American population. It however affects both male and female sexes with it being more evident in male persons female because albinism is sex linked. Albinism is often more evident in individuals during childhood stage where the characteristics mostly witnessed are a change in skin pigments and a change in hair color (Peracha). Individuals having Oculocutaneous albinism because of mutation in the OCA2 gene often depict traits of blond, light brown or light yellow hair. There is often reduced coloring in the skin, hair and the eyes sometimes impaired vision. The key cause of these traits is always a reduction in the production of melanin that is responsible for the normalcy in the color of these components. Several mutations exist in individuals with OCA2, some of which I have listed above. The commonly found mu tation is the complete absence of the gene responsible for normal coloring. This is usually evident among occupants in sub- Saharan Africa where extreme cases of albinism are witnessed, among African Americans and in Native Americans. These genes are inherited from our parents and mostly are not noticeable in the carrier parents until passed on to the children where they are now more evident. In OCA2, individuals from European Ethnic origin often experience a light yellow color change often evident during birth. In some cases, the hair may have white pigments and may darken with time. This group of Oculocutaneous albinism normally shows much lighter symptoms as compared to the first group. Caucasians with OCA2 have red hair in place of blonde while in most Africans and African Americans, the hair color is light brown complemented by light skin. In another instance, individuals from Asian and northern European origins are found to have a normal skin and hair complexion and only stand out when they are compared to their family members. Their skin complexion is normally lighter when compared to that of individual members of their family who are unaffected. It is evident that the skin color in OCA2 is not as affected as the one in Oculocutaneous albino group one that has a very sharp distinction in pigment alteration. This is evidence that the melanocytes in this