Assigning blame in societies like India for the gender of a baby is a straightforward task, often placing responsibility on women despite the fact that it is the men's chromosomes that determine the gender. But when it comes to intelligence, who holds the key?

A common inquiry during a child's upbringing revolves around whether they resemble their father or mother more. The question often arises: "Whose traits has the child predominantly inherited – the mother's or the father's?" Whether it's their eyes, hair, or habits, it's often possible to attribute these characteristics to one of the parents. However, research has indicated that intelligence, a trait that can be a topic of debate, is predominantly inherited from the maternal side.

Indeed, according to online sources, the crucial genes influencing a child's intelligence are primarily inherited from their mother. Fathers, on the other hand, have a comparatively minor genetic impact on determining a child's "intelligence quotient" (IQ), a standardized test score that scientists utilize as a measurable proxy for intelligence.

Previous research suggested that many key genes linked to intelligence are located on the X chromosome. In biology, it's known that biological males have one X and one Y chromosome, whereas biological females have two X chromosomes. An important detail often overlooked is that sons exclusively inherit an X chromosome from their mothers, while they acquire their Y chromosome from their fathers.

The rationale supporting the idea of intelligence inherited from mothers is based on the presence of key IQ genes on the X chromosome. According to this argument, boys would derive their intelligence predominantly from their mothers. Even if this hypothesis were accurate, daughters would still inherit a combination of their mother's and father's IQ genes, given that males contribute an X chromosome to their female offspring.

If not solely accountable, women are undoubtedly more inclined to pass on intelligence genes to their children since these genes are located on the X chromosome. Women possess two X chromosomes, whereas men have only one, making women more likely carriers of intelligence-related genetic material.