Many people believe that babies with big heads are smart. We often hear relatives praise babies saying, "Your baby will definitely be smart because they have a big head." But does having a bigger head mean a baby is smarter?
In fact, there is no proportional relationship between the size of the head and a person's intelligence or IQ. Although some intelligent individuals have large and heavy brains. For example, it is said that the brain of Russian writer Turgenev weighed 2000 grams, and the brain of German Iron Chancellor Bismarck weighed 1800 grams. Their frontal lobes were exceptionally developed.
Does a heavier brain mean a person is smarter? Not necessarily. When comparing absolute weights, the human brain weighs 1500 grams, while an elephant's brain weighs 4000 grams and a whale's brain weighs 7000 grams. However, elephants and whales are not as intelligent as humans. When comparing the weight of the brain to the weight of the body, the human brain weighs about 1/38 of the body weight, while a mouse's brain is 1/36 and a sparrow's brain is 1/34. Although the weight-to-body ratio of the brain in humans, mice, and sparrows is similar, the intelligence of mice and sparrows cannot be compared to that of humans.
The brain contains 10 to 14 billion neurons and 30 million supporting cells. Neurons, also known as nerve cells, are the basic units of structure, function, and nutrition. Neurons have irregular shapes, like tree roots, with many projections called dendrites extending outward. Among these projections, there is one longest one called the axon, or nerve, which can extend a great distance. With the help of various projections, neurons in the brain are interconnected and transmit information through the release of various chemicals known as neurotransmitters. When information reaches a specific functional area of the brain, it can cause changes in the cells' morphology, secretion of different types and amounts of chemicals, and initiate processes such as memory, emotions, and thinking. The analyzed and synthesized results are then sent to the motor cortex of the brain, which controls body movements, to initiate and regulate conscious and purposeful activities.
Generally, a person's IQ is related to the following factors: the number and nature of brain cells, the connectivity within brain cells, the division of labor and cooperation among them, and the nutritional supply that supports these activities.
Additionally, the intelligence of the baby can also be influenced by the intelligence of the parents. True intelligence and talent rely on diligent learning and repeated memorization. "Genius comes from hard work."
