# Trying to connect behavior to evolution **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 3, 2025, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566 "2025-04-03T13:02:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/1 "2025-04-03T13:02:03Z")
I have started a few threads on this in the past that did not go over too well. This is a slightly different angle. I am more interested in genetic changes as opposed to genetic expression. However I would like to draw a possible link between genetic expression and modification. From what I understand every sensory experience involves neurotransmitters. All of these neurotransmitters have specific half-lives to them before they break down into amino acids and proteins. The half-lives of these transmitters vary greatly from milliseconds to hours in some cases. However, the residual amino acids and proteins linger much longer in the cerebral fluids that also include spinal fluids which feed the reproductive glands that manufacture the sperm. So this would mean that at any given time the condition of the fluids would reflect whatever was going on in that person’s life. Is there any chance these amino acids and proteins can affect the genetic makeup of individual sperm cells? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/2 "2025-04-03T13:10:33Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > Is there any chance these amino acids and proteins can affect the genetic makeup of individual sperm cells? Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/3 "2025-04-03T13:11:29Z")
In the sense of random mutation? Maybe as a long shot. Solar radiation from being exposed to the sun would do far more. And in general, such random events, such as a random bit of UV, will affect a few cells out of millions. Nor will they affect cells uniformly, i.e. any random changes that do occur will differ from cell to cell, not all of them the same way at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/4 "2025-04-03T13:12:45Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I have started a few threads on this in the past that did not go over too well. Links to prior threads: > [@Can behavior affect our DNA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736): > > I followed a conversation on this yesterday, and it got me to thinking of ways our behavior might be translated in someway to our genetic code we passed on… The only thing I could think of was that chemicals and hormones produced in our brain might react more with certain sperm stimulating them to have a better chance of reaching the egg. I was amazed to discover how close the relationship is between our brain and our semen. > [@DNA question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna-question/976658): > > What are some of the fantastic possible aspects of DNA that serious scientists suspect. Is there any evidence that the host can alter his own DNA by his behavior. > [@Question about sperm cells](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-sperm-cells/1008788): > > I know that a sperm is a single cell but how does that cell come into existence, is there a process where another cell changes into a sperm cell? Having just one cell makes it hard to comprehend. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/5 "2025-04-03T13:22:09Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > From what I understand every sensory experience involves neurotransmitters. All of these neurotransmitters have specific half-lives to them before they break down into amino acids and proteins Neurotransmitters are not proteins. > **[A Simple Guide to Neurotransmitters](https://www.compoundchem.com/2015/07/30/neurotransmitters/)** > > Today's post is an update to this old one on the chemical structures of neurotransmitters. Your thought processes are the results of some pretty... ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/6 "2025-04-03T14:12:10Z")
Here’s the closest thing in actual science: > **[How do lifestyle and environmental factors influence the sperm epigenome?...](https://clinicalepigeneticsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13148-025-01815-1)** > > Recent studies support the influence of paternal lifestyle and diet before conception on the health of the offspring via epigenetic inheritance through sperm DNA methylation, histone modification, and small non-coding RNA (sncRNA) expression and... ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/7 "2025-04-03T14:22:48Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Neurotransmitters are not proteins. in this post I am curious about what happens after the transmitter breaks down. The amino acids primarily. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/8 "2025-04-03T14:32:35Z")
Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/9 "2025-04-03T14:34:51Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Neurotransmitters are not proteins. Things that are not proteins do not break down into amino acids. I asked AI what happens to the neurotransmitters when they breakdown and it said primarily amino acids ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/10 "2025-04-03T14:38:59Z")
I eat amino acids all the time, but it’s not affecting my genes. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/11 "2025-04-03T14:39:23Z")
Speaking for myself, AI has a very long way to go before I trust its answers over a Doper’s. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/12 "2025-04-03T14:43:55Z")
Aceylcholine is a common neurotransmitter. It does not break down into amino acids. The choline gets taken up by some other type of cells and re-bound, I think. Dopamine and norepinephrine are both composed of amines (I’m reasonably sure) but not amino acids, which are chemically a bit different. Careful using AI for answers. It will not always give factually correct responses, until it has been trained to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/13 "2025-04-03T14:44:22Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Speaking for myself, AI has a very long way to go before I trust its answers over a Doper’s. This is the chart that I posted and then removed (with the never mind) [![](https://i0.wp.com/www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Chemical-Structures-of-Neurotransmitters-2015.png?ssl=1) ](https://i0.wp.com/www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Chemical-Structures-of-Neurotransmitters-2015.png?ssl=1) (I removed it because it doesn’t cover every single neurotransmitter. Some of them do derive from proteins. But far from all of them.) > **[Neuropeptide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuropeptide)** > > Neuropeptides are chemical messengers made up of small chains of amino acids that are synthesized and released by neurons. Neuropeptides typically bind to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to modulate neural activity and other tissues like the gut, muscles, and heart. > Neuropeptides are synthesized from large precursor proteins which are cleaved and post-translationally processed then packaged into large dense core vesicles. Neuropeptides are often co-released with other neuropeptides and neu... ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/14 "2025-04-03T14:46:38Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Speaking for myself, AI has a very long way to go before I trust its answers over a Doper’s. Thats why I came here > [@RitterSport](#): > > I eat amino acids all the time, but it’s not affecting my genes. The reproductive organs are isolated within the blood brain barrier so would only have exposure to those within. that fluid. From what I understand the breakdown produces unique amino acids for each chemical it breaks down. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/15 "2025-04-03T14:51:42Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > The reproductive organs are isolated within the blood brain barrier so would only have exposure to those within. I’m not even sure what this is supposed to mean. Reproductive organs aren’t behind the blood-BRAIN barrier unless I’ve been doing something very wrong all this time. > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > From what I understand the breakdown produces unique amino acids for each chemical it breaks down. As above, neurotransmitter breakdown doesn’t produce amino acids in general, so this line of thought is already starting from false premises. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/16 "2025-04-03T14:54:18Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > From what I understand the breakdown produces unique amino acids for each chemical it breaks down. Proteins are long chains made up from a toolkit of 20 different amino acids. > **[Amino Acids: Why Are They Called the ‘Building Blocks of Life?’ — Bloodworks...](https://www.bloodworkslab.com/news-internal/2021/10/17/amino-acids-why-are-they-called-the-building-blocks-of-life)** > > Amino Acids. Without them, you’d be dead before this sentence is over. But what exactly are they, and what are they good for? ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/17 "2025-04-03T14:58:23Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > I’m not even sure what this is supposed to mean. Well, for some, the brain seems to be co-located with the reproductive organs. 🙂 (That’s not directed at anyone here, of course) ETA: Wait! The better joke is: What about those who do their thinking with their other head? ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/18 "2025-04-03T15:02:20Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Proteins are long chains made up from a toolkit of 20 different amino acids. > > [Amino Acids: Why Are They Called the ‘Building Blocks of Life?’ — Bloodworks Lab Inc. | Repro-Immuno, Chemistry & Hematology tests](https://www.bloodworkslab.com/news-internal/2021/10/17/amino-acids-why-are-they-called-the-building-blocks-of-life) That was very helpful, I gave it a quick read but plan to go back and try to digest more of it. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/19 "2025-04-03T15:07:14Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > The reproductive organs are isolated within the blood brain barrier so would only have exposure to those within. that fluid. Yeah, I didn’t notice this part before it was quoted. That is just utterly, completely, profoundly factually incorrect. It is as accurate and sensical as saying that your car’s lugnuts are located inside the radiator. > **[Blood–brain barrier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood%E2%80%93brain_barrier)** > > The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective semipermeable border of endothelial cells that regulates the transfer of solutes and chemicals between the circulatory system and the central nervous system, thus protecting the brain from harmful or unwanted substances in the blood. The blood–brain barrier is formed by endothelial cells of the capillary wall, astrocyte end-feet ensheathing the capillary, and pericytes embedded in the capillary basement membrane. This system allows the pas The b... ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566/20 "2025-04-03T16:12:32Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Yeah, I didn’t notice this part before it was quoted. That is just utterly, completely, profoundly factually incorrect. It is as accurate and sensical as saying that your car’s lugnuts are located inside the radiator. [The male reproductive system consists of **internal structures** such as the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, and prostate, as well as **external structures** like the scrotum and penis](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=ae09f717e34081831a94b60a3b957ae755d243d2dedd018dcfd287dd5ced1eddJmltdHM9MTc0MzYzODQwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=16c2e067-4007-60eb-08c1-f1fe41ff619d&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmNiaS5ubG0ubmloLmdvdi9zaXRlcy9ib29rcy9OQks1Mzg0Mjkv&ntb=1)[3](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=ae09f717e34081831a94b60a3b957ae755d243d2dedd018dcfd287dd5ced1eddJmltdHM9MTc0MzYzODQwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=16c2e067-4007-60eb-08c1-f1fe41ff619d&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmNiaS5ubG0ubmloLmdvdi9zaXRlcy9ib29rcy9OQks1Mzg0Mjkv&ntb=1). [These structures are well-vascularized and produce important androgens](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=ae09f717e34081831a94b60a3b957ae755d243d2dedd018dcfd287dd5ced1eddJmltdHM9MTc0MzYzODQwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=16c2e067-4007-60eb-08c1-f1fe41ff619d&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmNiaS5ubG0ubmloLmdvdi9zaXRlcy9ib29rcy9OQks1Mzg0Mjkv&ntb=1)[3](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=ae09f717e34081831a94b60a3b957ae755d243d2dedd018dcfd287dd5ced1eddJmltdHM9MTc0MzYzODQwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=16c2e067-4007-60eb-08c1-f1fe41ff619d&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmNiaS5ubG0ubmloLmdvdi9zaXRlcy9ib29rcy9OQks1Mzg0Mjkv&ntb=1). [The **reproductive glands** in a male are **inside the blood-brain barrier**](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=c59ffa5ffc34554127c06bf1956db57bac4b4804c4b31291b8b020a2e9a1457fJmltdHM9MTc0MzYzODQwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=16c2e067-4007-60eb-08c1-f1fe41ff619d&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9xdWl6bGV0LmNvbS84OTY4NzU1NTUvbWFsZS1yZXByb2R1Y3RpdmUtc3lzdGVtLWxlY3R1cmUtaHctZmxhc2gtY2FyZHMv&ntb=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-connect-behavior-to-evolution/1016566.md?page=2)