Thread Closed

Has there really been an increase in brain size...

 
Share Thread Thread Tools
May22-05, 10:31 PM   #1
 

Has there really been an increase in brain size...


In the Earth's fossil record, some people say "yes" and some people say "no", not just in humans but mammals.
 
PhysOrg.com
PhysOrg
biology news on PhysOrg.com

>> 'Whodunnit' of Irish potato famine solved
>> Intestinal bacteria protect against E. coli O157:H7
>> Principles of locomotion in confined spaces could help fire ant-inspired robot teams work underground (w/ video)
May23-05, 04:45 PM   #2
 
Anybody?, a yes or no will do.

Thanks.
 
May24-05, 02:22 AM   #3
 
Recognitions:
Gold Membership Gold Member
Science Advisor Science Advisor
Retired Staff Staff Emeritus
It's not quite that simple, which is why there's some debate about it. First, when we only have fossil records, we can only assume the brain filled the cranial cavity to the same extent it fills the cranial cavity of currently existing species. However, there is more than one way to measure brain size. You can measure the dimensions (length, width, circumference around a certain level), volume, weight, cell number, or degree of folding. So, we're limited when we only have a skull to measure as to just what the brain contained within it looked like.

Though, even among living mammals, there is still a huge variety of brain sizes, from tiny brains in mice and other small rodents, to larger brains in whales.
 
May24-05, 04:46 PM   #4
 

Has there really been an increase in brain size...


Thanks alot...again, Moonbear
 
Thread Closed
Thread Tools


Similar Threads for: Has there really been an increase in brain size...
Thread Forum Replies
Will an increase of voltage also increase Amps? Introductory Physics Homework 1
What's the fastest way to increase file size? Programming & Comp Sci 11
Einstein's:Mass increase resulting from Acceleration increase Special & General Relativity 30
intelligence and brain size Biology 3
Why do people care about brain size? Biology 10