October 23, 2009
Wasp Brains Amaze Scientists
Brains of a paper wasp species undergo dramatic changes as
the wasps go from one task to another.
Wasp Brains Amaze Scientists
Brains of a paper wasp species undergo dramatic changes as
the wasps go from one task to another.
SUMMARY: A tropical paper wasp known as Polybia aequatorialis has a brain
the size of two grains of sand. But researchers from universities in Washington
and Texas have discovered that remarkably these brains can undergo dramatic
changes during the daily lives of the wasps, such as actually enlarging during
complex tasks.
Apparently, the dendrites (extensions of neurons) reach out to receive
information from other brain cells to form a dense network of connections. The
networks help the wasps to integrate information from visual, olfactory and
touch sensory systems. "I was astounded when we found that some of the
individual neurons had dendrites that were seven to eight millimeters long in a
brain that is roughly the size of two grains of sand. That's packing a huge
amount of computing power in a small amount of space," said Sean O'Donnell,
a UW associate professor of psychology and co-author of the new study.
Although wasps are social creatures just as are humans, the architecture of
their brains is different. However, researchers want to know if there are
similarities or differences in the brain plasticity for social beings.
P. aequatorialis wasps live in colonies of 2,000 or more adults. Their tasks
including working in both the dim interior and the exterior of the nest, foraging
for food and building materials, and finding their way back to the nest. Each job
change is accompanied by an increase in complexity of the tasks. When
foraging, the wasp brains develop a more complex and dense neuron dendrite
network. The causes for these changes isn't known.
O'Donnell says the change in wasp environments is comparable to what people
face over the course of a day.
(Photo of a different species of paper wasp (polistes dominula) from Wikimedia
Commons.)
To read the entire article click on this link to US NEWS
COMMENT: This is another example of intelligent design--not "evolution" as
the article claims. The article doesn't specifically say it, but the assumption
seems to be that like the wasps, human beings might also have brains that
undergo similar changes with changes in tasks.
I hope I don't sound facetious, but it would be good if the brains of more
scientists would "grow" to the extent that there would be room for a more logical
evaluation of the marvels they are uncovering in nature. How so many highly
educated men and women with all their scientific degrees can continue to look
at the highly designed and complex living creatures as well as the obvious order
in all the universe and still believe it is all a matter of random chance--that is
one of the mysteries of the age
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QUESTION OF THE DAY
How many dead skin cells do we lose from the surface of our skin every
minute?
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containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
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the size of two grains of sand. But researchers from universities in Washington
and Texas have discovered that remarkably these brains can undergo dramatic
changes during the daily lives of the wasps, such as actually enlarging during
complex tasks.
Apparently, the dendrites (extensions of neurons) reach out to receive
information from other brain cells to form a dense network of connections. The
networks help the wasps to integrate information from visual, olfactory and
touch sensory systems. "I was astounded when we found that some of the
individual neurons had dendrites that were seven to eight millimeters long in a
brain that is roughly the size of two grains of sand. That's packing a huge
amount of computing power in a small amount of space," said Sean O'Donnell,
a UW associate professor of psychology and co-author of the new study.
Although wasps are social creatures just as are humans, the architecture of
their brains is different. However, researchers want to know if there are
similarities or differences in the brain plasticity for social beings.
P. aequatorialis wasps live in colonies of 2,000 or more adults. Their tasks
including working in both the dim interior and the exterior of the nest, foraging
for food and building materials, and finding their way back to the nest. Each job
change is accompanied by an increase in complexity of the tasks. When
foraging, the wasp brains develop a more complex and dense neuron dendrite
network. The causes for these changes isn't known.
O'Donnell says the change in wasp environments is comparable to what people
face over the course of a day.
(Photo of a different species of paper wasp (polistes dominula) from Wikimedia
Commons.)
To read the entire article click on this link to US NEWS
COMMENT: This is another example of intelligent design--not "evolution" as
the article claims. The article doesn't specifically say it, but the assumption
seems to be that like the wasps, human beings might also have brains that
undergo similar changes with changes in tasks.
I hope I don't sound facetious, but it would be good if the brains of more
scientists would "grow" to the extent that there would be room for a more logical
evaluation of the marvels they are uncovering in nature. How so many highly
educated men and women with all their scientific degrees can continue to look
at the highly designed and complex living creatures as well as the obvious order
in all the universe and still believe it is all a matter of random chance--that is
one of the mysteries of the age
**************************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail
your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
**************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
How many dead skin cells do we lose from the surface of our skin every
minute?
**************************************************************************************
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: Visitor comments are invited including those
containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
advertisements will not be published. After posting a comment, please allow
several hours for it to appear on the blog.
**************************************************************************************
0 Comments
| LSI stands for the Lutheran Science Institute, an organization of WELS and ELS Lutherans interested in science and health issues with a special emphasis on the creation and evolution controversy. This blog's purpose is to search the Internet to find articles of interest to Christians. Views expressed are those of the author (Warren Krug) and are not necessarily those of the Lutheran Science Institute, Inc. |
From 30 to 40 thousand. All the dead skin cells
we lose from our skin in a year would weigh
about 9 pounds (4 kg).
Source: Answers (October-December, 2009)
we lose from our skin in a year would weigh
about 9 pounds (4 kg).
Source: Answers (October-December, 2009)