Published On Dec 15, 2013
EXPLORE THE RI ADVENT CALENDAR: http://rigb.org.uk/advent
The human eye is a remarkable feat of engineering, but from the outside the main thing we notice is the colour. Eye colour is partly dictated by a gene on chromosome 15 called OCA2, which gives instructions for the production of a pigment called melanin. Dr Tim Cockerill explains how different amounts of melanin lead to different eye colours, and how the production of blue eyes can be explained in the same way as the blue in our skies.
With thanks to BBSRC: http://bbsrc.ac.uk/
Don't miss the 2013 CHRISTMAS LECTURES on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer: http://rigb.org/christmas-lectures
The Ri is on Twitter: / ri_science
and Facebook: / royalinstitution
and Tumblr: / ri-science
Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-po...
Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter