Question 2 of 21

How many genes do humans have?

... When researchers finished mapping the human genome, they found out humans had fewer genes than originally thought -- about 20,000 to 25,000. The proteins and DNA on these genes make the genes -- and us -- very different. Many of these differences have to do with intelligence, learning and memory abilities.

Question 3 of 21

How many smart genes are there?

... Scientists have so far identified two genes that might be connected to "being smart," but there could be many more we don't know about just yet.

Question 4 of 21

The type of intelligence that is connected to genes is called ________ .

... Fluid memory, also called fluid intelligence, includes analytical skills, information processing speed and other factors that are genetic rather than acquired.

Question 5 of 21

Which of the following is an example of crystallized (nongenetic) intelligence?

... Crystallized intelligence refers to the ability to use learned skills to solve problems. This might include reading comprehension and vocabulary tests, in which you have to extract knowledge from the environment.

Question 6 of 21

Dysbindin-1, the gene that influences cognitive abilities, also plays a role in your susceptibility to ________ .

... Damages or mutations to the gene can result in different levels of intelligence, but also can lead to schizophrenia in certain people.

Question 7 of 21

The gene that controls ________ is highly hereditary.

... The ability to learn new languages and words is very much genetic and passed on from parents to children.

Question 8 of 21

What does the NR2B gene affect?

... The NR2B gene affects your ability to retain information successfully and for longer periods of time. It also speeds up reactions between neurons and quickens the way you learn.

Question 9 of 21

What type of intelligence is NOT determined by genetics?

... Practical intelligence is the ability to resolve problems as they present themselves -- for example, being able to come up with solutions if you're in a survival situation. It also involves social and pragmatic skills. Practical intelligence is more a product of your environment and learned skills rather than genetics.

Question 10 of 21

Which type of intelligence declines with age?

... Fluid intelligence is biological and often declines with age, especially in people who have Alzheimer's disease or other degenerative diseases.

Question 11 of 21

What is "heritability"?

... Heritability is likelihood you'll inherit traits from your parents; it's measured on a scale of 0 to 1. For example, height has a heritability factor of 0.80. This means that you're 80 percent likely to have a height similar to your parents' heights.

Question 12 of 21

On the heritability scale, where does IQ fall?

... Depending on the study and scientists involved, there's a 0.5 to 0.9 chance you'll inherit your parents' IQs or at least come close to theirs.

Question 13 of 21

Could our ancient ancestors have had smart genes, or does intelligence only belong to modern man?

... We're definitively smarter than our ancestors were. Reasoning and cognitive functions are located in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which didn't develop until late in evolution.

Question 14 of 21

The human brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene affects ________ .

... When someone's BDNF gene mutates or is defective, poor memory performance is common.

Question 15 of 21

Environmental factors seem to affect IQ only in certain years of your life. Which ones?

... Adopted siblings have similar IQs during their childhoods. By the time they reach adulthood, however, their IQs move closer to those of their biological parents and away from each other's. This is because environmental factors don't affect intelligence as much by the time you reach adulthood.

Question 16 of 21

Is humanity as a whole getting smarter as years go by?

... A study checked the IQ levels of two groups of 18-year-old Dutch teens: one group in 1952 and the next group in 1982. The 1982 group had an average IQ level 20 points higher than the earlier group. These increases are because of environmental factors, such as better education.

Question 17 of 21

Would it be possible to change your "smart" gene to create smarter babies?

... Because there's no single smart gene, geneticists would have to make changes to a number of genes and genetic factors that control memory, brain processing speed, cognitive abilities and more to create smarter babies. It's theoretically possible, but really complicated. So maybe one day you can -- for a price, of course.

Question 18 of 21

In the Glenwood State School experiment, the IQs of babies and toddlers exposed to a rich, stimulating environment increased by ________ points.

... The experiment took orphaned children with low IQs and put them in a loving and stimulating environment created by substitute mothers; their IQs rose as much as 29 points. A control group of children who stayed behind at the orphanage with no stimuli had no improvement in IQs (and in some cases lost IQ points).

Question 19 of 21

Does intellectual advancement make your brain grow?

... The brain is composed of gray and white matter. The gray matter is the part that contains information and knowledge. The more you study and learn, the more your gray matter will increase, replacing white matter (which is just a connector and doesn't hold any information).

Question 20 of 21

Howard Gardner came up with eight intelligence types he says are both hereditary and learned. Which one do sailors and pilots exhibit?

... Spatial intelligence -- being able to think in three dimensions -- is especially important for sailors and pilots. Naturalist intelligence makes you sensitive to the natural world, and bodily-kinesthetic intelligence helps you manipulate objects or perform physical tasks.

Question 21 of 21

Environmental factors such as education are more beneficial to ________ .

... An education can't hurt anyone. Unfortunately, however, it's the smarter people who only get smarter. Those with higher genetic potential are more likely to be drawn to learning environments that can further increase their knowledge.

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