Ask A Scientist© Molecular Biology Archive

>
> > >  name       Jayant
> > >  status     other
> > >  age        30s
>
> > >  Question - Is intelligence confined to the
> > brain only or to all cells
> > > of our body?
> >
>This is a hard one! How do you define intelligence?
>Intelligent people have skills, and would need other
>cells than their grey ones to employ those skills. In
>order to be a good mathematician, intelligence is
>important. Without social interaction, the most
>genious thoughts are wasted: we have to express them.
>But to be a good dancer, or a good musician, you name
>it, you need a proper dosis of intelligence also.
>There must be a perfect coordination between brain and
>body, feelings and expression of feelings, thoughts
>and deeds, so the complete body is needed.
>
>Now the question is, is that because intelligence is
>not confined to the brain, or is it that, with smart
>brain cells AND a good body chemistry, we can achieve
>more with our intelligence? A paralyzed person can be
>highly intelligent. So I think the brain is the key
>factor. What you DO with your intelligent talents is
>another thing.
>
>What about the biochemistry. Suppose intelligence
>would be the number of brain cells, or the complexity
>of cellular interaction within the brain (I am not
>aware that the biochemical nature of intelligence has
>been identified so these are just examples). In order
>to work correctly, the brain needs sufficient supply
>of oxygen, to name a thing. I don't think such basic
>requirements are worse than perfect. In other words,
>each brain is probably supplied with the best of
>things, unless there is a disease to prevent this.
>
>The key factor to your question is how to define
>intelligence. And that is not an easy thing.
>
>Trudy
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