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Maps in Context: Some Analogies Between Visual Cortical and Genetic Maps

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Matters of Intelligence

Part of the book series: Synthese Library ((SYLI,volume 188))

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to examine some parallels in the evolutionary and functional significance of replicated maps in the genetic material and the visual cortex. In particular, I would like to explore two related ideas. The first is that the differentiation of replicated maps is an important factor in the development of new functional capacities in evolution. The second is that the properties of maps are influenced by their context. The contextual influences are mediated in genetic systems by various forms of gene regulation. In the visual cortex, contextual influences are expressed by the effects of stimuli located outside the classical receptive fields of individual neurons making up each cortical map. These contextual influences may determine how the organs of the body are assembled by the genes and how percepts and thoughts emerge from the activity of mapped arrays of neurons.

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  1. Beckman Laboratory, Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, USA

    John Allman Ph.D.

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  1. Harvard MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, USA

    Lucia M. Vaina

  2. Boston University, USA

    Lucia M. Vaina

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© 1987 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland

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Allman, J. (1987). Maps in Context: Some Analogies Between Visual Cortical and Genetic Maps. In: Vaina, L.M. (eds) Matters of Intelligence. Synthese Library, vol 188. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3833-5_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3833-5_17

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