INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT

Intelligence quotient (IQ) is stratified into eight levels including very low, low, average, above average, high, very high, superior and very superior intelligence.

However, noteworthy is the fact that one's level of intelligence is dynamic rather than static - it changes with time, diet and training. According to John Locke, a medieval philosopher, "the mind of a new born is a 'tabula rasa'. This implies that individuals are born without any form of  inborn knowledge, information or mental content. Therefore, all knowledge is learned or conceived.

 Intelligence Quotient (IQ), deductively could be said to vary proportionately with knowledge or information and grit. In mathematical terms, if intelligence quotient is Q and knowledge is I, while grit is G then Q varies with I and G. And Q= K+I+G, where K is the constant of proportionality. K here can be perceived to be the individual's genetic make up, representing one's area of interest. Genetic make up is constant, while hard work or grit and information vary. Therefore, grit and information, and not talent determines one's success.

However, a healthy body begets a healthy mind, and nourishment can not be swept under the carpet here. Therefore, I would like to add that grit, information and nourishment work together to enhance intelligence quotient (IQ). If nourishment is represented as n, then Q = K+I+G+n.

IQ Boost Tips

1.  Get Informed.

2.  Work hard on difficult tasks          repetitively.

3. Nourish your brain to boost         your IQ.

Subsequent posts will specify how to go about doing all these effectively.

Festus C. Anaba, B Med. Sci. Physiology

INTELLIGENCE

Intelligence

What you do when you don't know what to do is the true test of intelligence.

But intelligence, in generally accepted terms, is said to be the general cognitive problem-solving skill. Or the skillful use of reason, or, ability to learn, understand and do things logically.

There are several sub categories of intelligence including logical/mathematical, linguistic, spatial, inter and intra personal skills. However, Raymond Cattell hypothesized two different forms of intelligence in 1963, which later became generally accepted. These two forms of intelligence are:

- fluid and

- crystallized intelligence (Cattell,1963)

Fluid Intelligence

This form of intelligence is needed in solving new problems, use logic in new situations, and identity patterns ( Cattell, 1963). Taking an on-the-spot decision viz-a-vis immediate impending danger requires fluid intelligence.

Crystallized Intelligence

This is related to  the  use of acquired knowledge and experience in problem-solving (Cattell, 1963). Works such as teaching require crystallized intelligence.

It is believed that both fluid and crystallized intelligence work together. Intelligence is like a fluid that changes to solid (crystalline) form when cooled. The brain is flexible like fluid during learning, which crystallizes as knowledge after a learning process is completed (Horn and Cattell, 1966a).

Festus C. Anaba, B Med. Sci. Physiology

THE NEURONAL NETWORK OF THE BRAIN

The neurons are wired together in the brain in a network calledthe neuronal network. This network is similar to the internet network. Each of the over 100 billion neurons in the brain is connected to about 10 thousand other neurons.

Just like the internet network, each neuron is directly or indirectly connected to each other in the brain. The power or capacity of the brain (intelligence) is directly related to the neuronal network strength, just like the internet network quality is a function of the electromagnetic signal strength.

Festus C. Anaba, B Med. Sci. Physiology

THE NEURON

Neuron

The neuron is the basic, structural and functional unit of the nervous system that make up the brain's neural network (Boyden, 2011). Cutting edge knowledge of the brain is founded on the knowledge of the neuron and it's molecular biology.

The body of the neuron, which constitutes one of its three segments, is basically star-shaped, owing to the spikes known as dendrites into which its outer membrane is modified. This segment generates action potential or impulse from stimuli or information received by the neuron.

The axon is the elongated middle part of the neuron along which signals or information travel to the tail end. Some axons are myelinated ( fat-coated) in segments to help speed up the transmission of information.

The tail segment houses the information-transmitting substance (neurotransmitter) in the space known as synaptic gap between the neuron carrying information (pre synaptic neuron) and the one receiving information (post synaptic neuron). The post synaptic neuron is stimulated by the neurotransmitter for onward transmission of signals or information.

The neuron, therefore, is a biological micro data processing machine with an input (dendrites), processing (body) and output (axon/tail) units coordinating the totality of the bodily function.

Festus C. Anaba, B Med. Sci. Physiology

THE BRAIN'S MODE OF FUNCTION

About 20 years ago, the actual mode of function of the brain was both skeletal and vague.The hitherto picture of the brain's mode of function can be clearly seen in Michio Kaku's statement, "The brain has 100 billion neurons, each neuron connected to 10 thousand other neurons. Sitting on your shoulder is the most complicated object in the known universe".  But the advent of modern technologies such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery (fMRI) and Proton Emission Tomography (PET), etc have circumvented most of the confusion surrounding the workings of the brain.

It had long been known that the brain is made up of basic structural and functional units called neurons. Also, based on recent findings, the neurons  have been found to be arranged in groups known as areas.

These groups of neurons are specifically involved with some specialized functions such as, speech, language, movement, special senses, music, logic/arithmetics, music, tactile works such as typing, etc.

All the areas of the brain involved with reasoning are found within the right and left cerebral hemispheres called the neocortex.

Festus C. Anaba, B Med. Sci. Physiology