(June 2, 2014 at 7:17 pm)Chuck Wrote: What you are describing is an acquired trait - An response of the organism to a condition. Acquired traits are not heritable. The trait must have a genetic basis to be heritable. So if what you are saying about brain growing in response to starvation is true, it would only explain why the starving individual's brain might be larger, it can't explain why the brains of his non-starving offsprings also got bigger.
Unless there is a heritable trait in there somewhere - like a greater capacity to increase brain size in response to certain conditions.
Its the first time I have heard of this theory so I can't say I have an opinion on it. There maybe something there but this doesn't look like the only answer.
Maybe in conjunction with the pressure put on the species by the change of habitat which rewarded these bipedal, slow moving, poorly armed hominids which could adapt the best - as in think their way out of the problem.
Further, it would explain the 40-50% of Americans who overeat and believe in creation. The more burgers you eat, the dumber you get.
Kuusi palaa, ja on viimeinen kerta kun annan vaimoni laittaa jouluvalot!
