Which Homo Species Has the Largest Brain?
The Homo species is a genus of primates that includes modern humans, Homo sapiens, as well as extinct species such as Homo neanderthalensis and Homo erectus. Of these species, Homo sapiens has the largest brain size relative to body size. The average human brain weighs about 1,400 grams (3 pounds) and accounts for 2% of total body weight.
Homo Sapiens
Homo sapiens have the largest brains of any species in the Homo genus. This is due to their large neocortex, which is responsible for higher-level thinking and complex problem solving. The human brain is also more efficient than other species in the Homo genus, with a greater number of neurons and synapses per unit volume.
Homo Neanderthalensis
Homo neanderthalensis had a larger brain than other species in the Homo genus, but it was still smaller than that of Homo sapiens. The average Neanderthal brain weighed about 1,200 grams (2.6 pounds), which is slightly less than that of modern humans. However, Neanderthals had a larger cerebellum than modern humans, suggesting they may have been better at motor skills.