Evolution of the human brain: when bigger is better.

摘要: Comparative studies of the brain in mammals suggest that there are general architectural principles governing its growth and evolutionary development. We beginning to understand geometric, biophysical energy constraints have governed evolution functional organization underlying neuronal network. The object this review is present current perspectives on primate evolution, especially humans, examine some hypothetical organizing underlie brain’s complex organization. Some design operational modes information processing capacity cerebral cortex primates will be explored. It shown development coordinates folding with connectivity a way produces smaller faster brains, then otherwise would been possible. In view central importance placed explaining success our own species, one may wonder whether physical limits constrain power potential. argued at size about 3500 cm3, corresponding volume two three times modern man, seems reach maximum capacity. larger grows beyond critical size, less efficient it become, thus limiting any improvement cognitive power.