They may not have many life - changing decision to make , but when they are faced with a choice , freshwater shellfish are unbelievably efficient at making up their minds , using just two types of psyche cell to reach their verdict . Describing this discovery in the journalNature Communications , researchers from the University of Sussex explain how this incredible firmness start the snails to save brain free energy when move about their business .
While some humans may expend infuriating amount of money of energy just make up one’s mind what to weary in the daybreak , mollusks belonging to theLymnaeafamily are praiseworthily single - given , and direct most of their nous baron towards locating food for thought . By measuring the electrical charges – oraction potentials – given off by specific case ofneuronsin the snails ’ brains when seek out grub , the study source receive that the animals ’ body process was see by just two varieties of cheek cell .
One of these nerve cell – recognise as vTN – encode sensory selective information regarding whether or not food is present in the snails ’ immediate environment , while the second case , prognosticate N3 t , tells the snail whether or not it is hungry enough to eat this nutrient . In this good sense , it ’s a bit like snail Tinder , as all conclusion are based on nothing more than the proximity and attractiveness of a piece of food .
When thirsty , Lymnaeaseek out maintenance by “ biting ” the air so as to test out whether food is present . If they happen to sink their tooth into something edible , they then perform what the researchers call “ consummatory bites , ” which are companion by a swallowing legal action as they devour their food .
Lymnaea are able to salve energy by using the fewest possible type of neuron necessary to make a decision . vitstudio / Shutterstock
The study generator chance upon that when the snails were full , their N3 t neurons began to fire at a higher charge per unit , causing them to stop their explorative air travel biting . In contrast , when they were deprive of food for several day , these neurons fire at a low pace , do the snail to perform more of these “ appetitive bite . ”
Upon finding food , the snail ’ vTN nerve cell became active , basically “ swiping right-hand ” and initiating the permutation to consummatory bite . The swallowing action that accompanies this food gobbling is then coordinated by a wider grasp of neurons , which suddenly reverberate into action , using up a considerable amount of energy .
Based on this discovery , the study authors resolve that this scheme helps the snails to save on brain power , by ensuring that the neurons affect in swallow do not become active unless dead necessary , and with the guaranty that food for thought is present , thereby bring in it worthwhile .
In astatement , tether researcher George Kemenes explain how the sketch “ reveals for the first - sentence how just two neurons can create a mechanism in an animal ’s brain which drives and optimizes complex decision - make tasks . ” Taking this one dance step further , he stated that “ this will eventually help us design the ' brains ' of robot establish on the principle of using the few potential component part necessary to do complex tasks . ”
