• Question: Can intelligence be affected by Genesor is it simply how your brain is developed as you grow up?

    Asked by milkbottleman to Fiona, Jane, Joanna, Michelle, William on 18 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Joanna Brooks

      Joanna Brooks answered on 17 Jun 2010:

      Hello, good question! The answer is yes, scientists have found that intelligence can be affected by genes. However, intelligence is also influenced by the environment that you live in. The brain needs lots of stimulation from a very early age – from birth in fact – so even if you were naturally very clever but you lacked stimulation (books, TV, games, puzzles) you probably wouldn’t be as clever.

    • Photo: Fiona Randall

      Fiona Randall answered on 18 Jun 2010:

      Hi, haha, sorry-I must have been sleepy when I read that! Intelligence is affected by genes as learning and brain function are all controlled by gene expression in the brain. I’m not sure anyone has tracked down the actual genes that make some people really clever yet though!

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