Post by Ava on Nov 3, 2019 2:08:42 GMT
^ You know these things?
Comb jellies, which seem like a simple form of marine life, took a radically different path to neural complexity than the rest of the animal kingdom
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“If you met an alien you would assume it is radically different from us,” Moroz says. “There is no need to wait—these aliens are in our backyard.”
While the rest of the animal kingdom evolved seemingly along one pathway, with a similar design of neural circuits and chemical language, the comb jelly evolved an alternative strategy with genetically different neural and muscular structures, and even development with unique mesoderm specification.
The findings could lead to new ways to investigate neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, and open new avenues for bioengineering, Moroz says.
“Some ctenophores can regenerate an elementary brain—also known as the aboral organ or gravity sensor—in three and a half days,” Moroz says. “In one of my experiments, one lobate ctenophore —Bolinopsis—regenerated its brain four times.”
www.futurity.org/brain-makes-comb-jelly-alien-backyard/
===
“If you met an alien you would assume it is radically different from us,” Moroz says. “There is no need to wait—these aliens are in our backyard.”
While the rest of the animal kingdom evolved seemingly along one pathway, with a similar design of neural circuits and chemical language, the comb jelly evolved an alternative strategy with genetically different neural and muscular structures, and even development with unique mesoderm specification.
The findings could lead to new ways to investigate neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, and open new avenues for bioengineering, Moroz says.
“Some ctenophores can regenerate an elementary brain—also known as the aboral organ or gravity sensor—in three and a half days,” Moroz says. “In one of my experiments, one lobate ctenophore —Bolinopsis—regenerated its brain four times.”
www.futurity.org/brain-makes-comb-jelly-alien-backyard/
I remember seeing one of these at an aquarium several years ago. The description next to the tank was similar to the above quote...emphasizing how unique this creature is. I still can't get over it.
So WEIRD
