Have you ever wondered why your hair, eyes, or skin are a certain color? Or perhaps why some people are better at solving puzzles than others?

To better understand genetics in a simple way, think of it like building block toys. Just like you build a toy using different blocks, our bodies are also made up of different parts that work together. These parts are called systems. For instance, the skeletal system gives our body shape and support, while the muscular system helps us move. The nervous system sends signals to control everything, and the digestive system helps break down food for energy.

These systems are made up of organs, like the brain, heart, and bones. More specifically, these organs are built from tissues, which are groups of special cells. For example, bone cells (osteocytes) make bones strong, whereas muscle cells (myocytes) help us move. And nerve cells (neurons) send messages in the brain.

Each type of cell has a special job. Bone cells give bones their strength, muscle cells expand and contract to help with movement, and nerve cells send electrical signals so we can think and feel.

But this raises an important question: how do these cells know what to become? What makes a cell turn into a bone cell, a muscle cell, or a nerve cell? Let’s find out!