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Thanks For The Intelligence, Mum, Say Scientists

Thanks For The Intelligence, Mum, Say Scientists

Kids are smart due to their mums.

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

It's time for all you brainboxes to thank your mum, because research has found it's our mothers who are mainly responsible for transmitting our intelligence genes.

For those of us who aren't geniuses, I suppose it's a good time to pass on the blame.

The intelligence gene is more likely to be passed on from mother to child because it's carried on the X chromosome, which women have two of and men only have one.

Further research has since found that even if genes for advanced cognitive functions are inherited from dads, they may be deactivated anyway.


via GIPHY

Some genes, which Psychology Spot calls 'conditioned genes', will only work if they come from the mother. The 'intelligence gene' is believed to be one. Others genes work the opposite way and will only remain active if inherited from your dad. Clever, eh?

Research carried out at Cambridge University back in 1984 found that genetically modified mice who were given an extra dose of maternal genes grew bigger heads and brains, but had smaller bodies. So, does this mean I can blame my mum for my massive head, too? I've been telling people it's a sign of intelligence for years, anyway.


via GIPHY

A second set of mice were given paternal genes and had smaller brains and larger bodies. I'm not saying anything.

The researchers then identified the cells that contained only maternal or paternal genes. They found the exclusively maternal cells were discovered in the cerebral cortex - which is in control of advanced cognitive functions, like language and thought.

The paternal ones were found in the lymbic system which controls sex functions, aggression and eating.


via GIPHY

Because people aren't mice, further research was carried out on humans, but the results remained pretty much the same. Scientists interviewed 12,686 young people between the ages of 14 and 22 and found that the best predictor of intelligence was the IQ of the mother.

But if you are a bit dim and wanted to claim it was all your mum's fault, Psychology Spot is quick to point out we only inherit about 40 to 60 percent of our intelligence; the rest is dependent on our environment and upbringing.

Featured Image Credit: Fox/The Simpsons

Topics: Science

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