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Synteny and Evolution02:31

Synteny and Evolution

John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral chromosome underwent...
Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
Phylogeny01:23

Phylogeny

Phylogeny is concerned with the evolutionary diversification of organisms or groups of organisms. A group of organisms with a name is called a taxon (singular). Taxa (plural) can span different levels of the evolutionary hierarchy. For instance, the group containing all birds is a taxon (comprising the class Aves), and the group of all species of daisies (the genus Bellis) is a taxon. Phylogenies can likewise include just one genus (i.e., depict species relationships) or span an entire kingdom.
Evolutionary Psychology01:20

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...
The Nativist Approach01:21

The Nativist Approach

The nativist approach to infant cognitive development proposes that infants are born with inherent knowledge structures that allow them to interpret the world almost immediately. This perspective contrasts with earlier developmental theories, such as those proposed by Jean Piaget, which emphasized a more gradual acquisition of cognitive abilities through interaction with the environment. One key concept in this approach is object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to exist...
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons02:54

Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons

Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

A Comparative Approach for Quantitative Cell Counting Studies in Widely Different Mammalian Brains
07:14

A Comparative Approach for Quantitative Cell Counting Studies in Widely Different Mammalian Brains

Published on: January 16, 2026

Neocortical Expansion: An Attempt toward Relating Phylogeny and Ontogeny.

H P Killackey1

  • 1Department of Psychobiology, University of California, Irvine.

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
|August 23, 2013
PubMed
Summary

The human brain's neocortex, responsible for unique cognitive abilities, expanded significantly during mammalian evolution. Its genetic flexibility allowed adaptation to diverse environments, driving evolutionary changes.

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Last Updated: May 8, 2026

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Published on: May 8, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Neurobiology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Comparative Anatomy

Background:

  • The neocortex is a defining feature of the human brain, associated with higher cognitive functions.
  • Its expansion in mammals is a key aspect of brain evolution, covering other brain structures.
  • Understanding neocortical expansion is crucial for neurobiology and related fields.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary expansion of the mammalian neocortex.
  • To generate discussion on neocortical phylogeny and its underlying mechanisms.
  • To propose a hypothesis regarding the genetic underpinnings of neocortical evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Reviewing current theories on brain evolution.
  • Examining somatosensory cortex organization across various mammalian species.
  • Analyzing ontogenetic mechanisms relevant to neocortical phylogeny.

Main Results:

  • The mammalian neocortex is proposed to be genetically less specified than previously thought.
  • This relative lack of genetic specification facilitated its adaptive expansion.
  • Ontogenetic factors likely played a significant role in neocortical evolutionary changes.

Conclusions:

  • The evolutionary expansion of the mammalian neocortex is linked to its genetic flexibility.
  • This adaptability allowed the neocortex to diversify and occupy various ecological niches.
  • Further research into neocortical evolution is warranted to fully understand its phylogenetic trajectory.