gene size

摘要

A team of Chicago-based scientists have found evidence that the human brain is still evolving. By comparing modern man with our ancestors of 37,000 years ago, the scientists discovered significant changes in two genes linked to brain size. Each gene variant emerged around the same time as the advent of so called 'cultural' behaviours. For example, the microcephalin variant appeared along with the emergence of traits such as art and music, religious practices and sophisticated tool-making techniques, which date back to about 50,000 years ago, and it is now present in about 70 per cent of humans alive today. The other, called the ASPM variant, originated at a time that coincides with the spread of agriculture, settled cities and the first record of written language.