The existence of genes as discrete units which determine characteristics of living things, their presence in alternate forms, or alleles , and combination in pairs in individuals is the simple binary code of genetics. This section will discuss concepts dealing with genetics such as color, growth rate, inbreeding, chromosomes, sexual selection, sexual determination, and hybridization.
Color is essential in the makeup of an individual salmon.
The ground color, or uniform body color, is composed of a mixture of pigment types, individually developed within specific cells. There are various pigment types which include melanin, iridocyte, albino, and a yellow pigment. A yellow pigment is formed within xanthophores . Iridocyte is not a true pigment cell, but pigment. It carries a reflecting material which casts a silvery or bluish tint to the color of the salmon.