Intelligence Is Inherited From Mothers, According To Research
Scientific studies have shown that intelligence is inherited from mothers.
In today’s society, women have regained ground when it comes to gender equality. As a result, single mothers can provide their children with everything they need.
Mothers also do not have to look for an intelligent man to have a chance to have intelligent children. According to research, their children’s intelligence is entirely in their hands.
Why is it said that intelligence is inherited from mothers?
The theory is that certain genes – which researchers call “conditioned genes” – react differently depending on their origin. These conditioned genes are only active as such when inherited from the mother.
So when a conditioned gene emerges through paternal inheritance, even though it is the same, it goes unnoticed. The same thing happens with other types of genes that are only activated when they are inherited by the father.
We already knew that intelligence was an inherited factor, but we did not know the unique origin. It was once thought that both parents had equal inputs that would alternate depending on unknown factors.
However, it was recently discovered that maternal cells have a tendency to be directed towards the brain.
Previous research has shown that female genes contribute significantly to the development of thought. Because the genes that determine intelligence are found specifically on the X chromosome, it is also possible for fathers to pass on intelligence.
But the chance that intelligence is inherited from mothers is greater.
Most genetic diseases that affect cognitive abilities are registered on the X chromosome. Therefore, the risk of a mother passing on these diseases is also greater because she carries two X chromosomes.
The study
To conduct the study, researchers tried to create modified rats that only had genes from the mother or father. However, the results were unfavorable; all embryos died when implanted in the womb.
This led to a strange discovery: there are mother-conditioned genes that allow embryonic development. There are also father-conditioned genes that are necessary to develop tissues that make up the placenta.
The researchers concluded that the importance of these conditioned genes goes far beyond the formation of the fetus. They hypothesized that brain functions could also be linked to the development of these genes.
Finally, they managed to demonstrate such significance. They modified some of the genes, experimenting with mice whose genetic content came predominantly from one of the two parents.
The results were as follows: The mice with the most maternal genes had larger heads and brains.
On the contrary, those with greater genetic material from the father had small brains and heads. Their bodies were not proportionate either; those with larger heads had smaller bodies and vice versa.
They also noted that although the cells from both parents were found in the brain, the cells from the father focused more on food, aggression, and survival in general. While the mother’s cells dominated in areas of the brain that control cognitive functions.
Intelligence is not just hereditary
It is understood that on average about 40-60% of intelligence is inherited. The rest is developed through stimulation and from the environment. So even if intelligence is inherited from mothers, they can also help us in other ways.
The intellectual development has a lot to do with the stimuli we receive. The emotional support and security we feel is also important.
Mothers give us space to develop our abilities. Through their secure bond, we feel more motivated and convinced to explore and be patient.
Moms encourage us not to give up. They teach us to solve problems. This is how we learn to be tolerant of frustration and strong to the best of our abilities.
The way we relate to our mothers enables development in many parts of the brain.
