2008/12/3 Richard Loosemore <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20026845.000-memories-may-be-stored-on-your-dna.html > > are saying is that memories can be stored as changes in the DNA inside > neurons?
No. They are saying memories might be stored as changes *on* the DNA. Imagine a big long DNA molecule. It has little molecules attached to bits of it, which regulate which genes are and aren't expressed. That's how a cell knows it's a skin cell, or an eye cell or a liver cell. Apparently the same mechanism is used in neurons are part of the mechanism for laying down new memories. > Would it mean that memories (including cultural adaptations) could be passed > from mother to child? No, for two reasons: (1) the DNA isn't being changed. (2) even if the DNA was being changed, it isn't in the germ-line. (Incidently, my understanding is[*] that DNA in various cells in the mammalian immune system does change as the immune system evolves to cope with infectious agents; but these changes aren't passed along to the next generation.) * if there are any molecular biologists reading, feel free to correct me. -- Philip Hunt, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments. See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html ------------------------------------------- agi Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now RSS Feed: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/ Modify Your Subscription: https://www.listbox.com/member/?member_id=8660244&id_secret=120640061-aded06 Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
