Researchers learn how experience is transmitted across generations
Xiamen University: analysis of 139 studies showed that in plants and invertebrates, ancestral experience is passed down through generations; in vertebrates, only positive experience.
Xiamen University: analysis of 139 studies showed that in plants and invertebrates, ancestral experience is passed down through generations; in vertebrates, only positive experience.
Chinese scientists from Xiamen University have determined how ancestral experience (trauma, stress) is transmitted across generations. An analysis of 139 studies on plants and animals was conducted to evaluate the intergenerational effect.
The scientists defined the adaptive intergenerational effect as ancestral experience from being in a stressful or favorable environment that may benefit offspring. It turned out that this effect is most pronounced in annual plants and invertebrates, regardless of whether the experience was negative or, conversely, positive.
For example, when the previous generation encountered predators, the offspring better defended themselves against predators. If the previous generation grew up in low light, their offspring's growth rates also increased in low light.
Meanwhile, vertebrates such as rodents and humans responded only to favorable environments and did not develop an adaptive intergenerational effect under stress conditions. The likely reason is that vertebrates can avoid stressful conditions thanks to their mobility.
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