Research Shows That Intelligence Is Inherited From The Mother

Scientific studies show that intelligence is inherited from the mother. Read more about these findings below.

Women have gained a foothold in our modern society when it comes to gender differences. As a result, single mothers are also able to provide their children with everything they need.

Women also don’t have to look for smart men for themselves to have smart children. According to one study, children’s intelligence is entirely in the hands of their mothers.

Research shows that intelligence is inherited from the mother

According to this theory, certain genes, which researchers call “conditioned  genes, ” respond differently depending on their origin. Conditioned genes are identified as such only when inherited from the mother.

Because of this, the conditioned gene inherited from the father goes unnoticed when it appears, even though it is the same. The same is true for other types of genes that are activated only by the paternal genome.

We already knew that intelligence is an inherited trait, but we did not yet know its unique origin. It was sometimes believed that each parent had their own share, which would vary depending on unknown factors.

But recently, it has become clear that maternal cells tend to be directed toward the brain.

Previous research has shown that a woman’s genes have a significant amount to do with thought formation. Because the genes that determine intelligence are found specifically on the X chromosome, it is also possible for  fathers  to pass on intelligence to their offspring.

But the possibility of mother-perceived intelligence is greater.

Most genetic diseases that affect cognitive abilities are registered on the X chromosome. Thus, the chances of genetic diseases inherited from the mother are also higher,  as she carries two X chromosomes.

Research on the subject

To make this study possible, the researchers tried  to create genetically modified rats with only either maternal or paternal genes. However, the results were unfavorable, as all fetuses died after they were implanted in the uterus.

This led to a peculiar discovery:  there are conditioned genes of maternal origin that make fetal development possible. Similarly, there are conditional genes derived from the father that are essential for the tissues responsible for placental formation.

The researchers concluded that these conditioned genes are important for much more than just  fetal  formation. They speculated that brain function may also be linked to the development of these genes.

And finally, they managed to illustrate this importance. They modified some of the mice’s genes, conducting experiments on those mice whose genetic content was essentially revoked from only one of their parents.

The results were as follows: the mice with the most maternal genes had larger heads and brains.

In contrast, those with more genetic content from the father had small brains and heads. Their  bodies  were not in harmony either; those with larger heads had smaller bodies and vice versa.

The researchers also noted that although cells from both parents were found in the brain, genes from the father focused more on food, aggression, and overall survival. While  maternal cells prevailed in those areas of the brain that control cognitive functions.

Intelligence is not just inherited

It is understood that, on average,  about 40-60% of intelligence is hereditary. The rest develops under the influence of stimuli and the environment. This is because while intelligence is inherited from the mother, mothers can help us in other ways as well.

Intellectual development has a lot to do with the stimuli we receive. The emotional support we receive and our sense of security also play an important role.

Mothers give us the space we need to develop our abilities. Thanks to that stable emotional bond, we are more motivated and confident to explore our environment and persevere.

Mothers encourage us not to give up. They teach us to solve problems. In this way, we learn to tolerate frustration and be strong to the best of our ability.

The way we identify with our mothers allows for development in many areas of the brain.