November 4, 2009
Built-in Compasses of Migrating Birds Have Been
Located
Scientists find certain cells in the eyes of the birds can sense
magnetic fields.
Built-in Compasses of Migrating Birds Have Been
Located
Scientists find certain cells in the eyes of the birds can sense
magnetic fields.
SUMMARY: Scientists have known that migrating birds have built-in biological
compasses that guide them on their flights--a magnetic sixth sense--but until
now there have been two separate theories of where these compasses are
located. A study appearing October 29 in Nature appears to have answered
that question.
Some researchers had thought iron-based receptors in the upper beaks of
some migratory birds sense the magnetic field and send the information along
a nerve to the brain. Other scientists suggested light-sensing cells in the birds'
eyes sense the magnetic field and send the information along a different path
to a part of the brain called cluster N.
Study coauthor Henrik Mouritsen of the University of Oldenburg in Germany
and colleagues caught 36 migratory European robins (picture from Wikimedia
Commons) for testing. By means of surgeries, they deactivated one or the
other of the two systems in each bird. What they found was that the birds in
which the beak-to-brain nerves were severed still could orientate themselves
perfectly while the birds whose cluster N regions were damaged by the
scientists could no longer sense and orient to magnetic fields.
Understanding more about how birds navigate and sense the environment
might help conservationists to be able to trick birds into staying in safe areas.
About the birds' ability to navigate, Mouritsen says, “This is basically the sixth
sense of biology, but no one knows how it works. The magnetic sense is by far
the least understood sense in the natural world.”
To read the entire article, click on this link to US NEWS.
COMMENT: This story, in my opinion, has at least two questions for people
who believe that amazing abilities in animals such as bird navigation can be
achieved through natural means.
First, isn't it a bit strange that very intelligent modern scientists can't figure out
the magnetic sense of birds, as Mouritsen admitted, but yet supposedly these
dumb animals were able to figure it out on their own?
Secondly, if these birds were able to evolve this very useful ability via natural
selection, why didn't other creatures exposed to the same environment choose
to adopt this talent? Why haven't humans evolved this feature, as it would be
very helpful to us and we could dispose of all our manmade compasses?
The most reasonable position to take is that all creatures were designed by a
Creator God who gave them the gifts that they need to get along in this world.
People don't need built-in compasses because we have the mental ability to
navigate by other means.
What we do need is a compass or roadmap that will show us the way to our
final destination. This roadmap exists. It is known as the Holy Bible which
clearly explains that Jesus Christ is the "way and the truth and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through" Him. John 14:6 (NIV)
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QUESTION OF THE DAY
What bird launches from a tree branch backwards?
**************************************************************************************
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containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
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several hours for it to appear on the blog.
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compasses that guide them on their flights--a magnetic sixth sense--but until
now there have been two separate theories of where these compasses are
located. A study appearing October 29 in Nature appears to have answered
that question.
Some researchers had thought iron-based receptors in the upper beaks of
some migratory birds sense the magnetic field and send the information along
a nerve to the brain. Other scientists suggested light-sensing cells in the birds'
eyes sense the magnetic field and send the information along a different path
to a part of the brain called cluster N.
Study coauthor Henrik Mouritsen of the University of Oldenburg in Germany
and colleagues caught 36 migratory European robins (picture from Wikimedia
Commons) for testing. By means of surgeries, they deactivated one or the
other of the two systems in each bird. What they found was that the birds in
which the beak-to-brain nerves were severed still could orientate themselves
perfectly while the birds whose cluster N regions were damaged by the
scientists could no longer sense and orient to magnetic fields.
Understanding more about how birds navigate and sense the environment
might help conservationists to be able to trick birds into staying in safe areas.
About the birds' ability to navigate, Mouritsen says, “This is basically the sixth
sense of biology, but no one knows how it works. The magnetic sense is by far
the least understood sense in the natural world.”
To read the entire article, click on this link to US NEWS.
COMMENT: This story, in my opinion, has at least two questions for people
who believe that amazing abilities in animals such as bird navigation can be
achieved through natural means.
First, isn't it a bit strange that very intelligent modern scientists can't figure out
the magnetic sense of birds, as Mouritsen admitted, but yet supposedly these
dumb animals were able to figure it out on their own?
Secondly, if these birds were able to evolve this very useful ability via natural
selection, why didn't other creatures exposed to the same environment choose
to adopt this talent? Why haven't humans evolved this feature, as it would be
very helpful to us and we could dispose of all our manmade compasses?
The most reasonable position to take is that all creatures were designed by a
Creator God who gave them the gifts that they need to get along in this world.
People don't need built-in compasses because we have the mental ability to
navigate by other means.
What we do need is a compass or roadmap that will show us the way to our
final destination. This roadmap exists. It is known as the Holy Bible which
clearly explains that Jesus Christ is the "way and the truth and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through" Him. John 14:6 (NIV)
**************************************************************************************
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
What bird launches from a tree branch backwards?
**************************************************************************************
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. |
The male Resplendent Quetzal (picture from
Wikimedia Commons) of Central America has
such a long tail it could rip the tail to shreds
unless it takes off backwards. The Quetzal is
an endangered species and is pictured on the
Guatemalan flag.
Source: www.usefultriva.com
Wikimedia Commons) of Central America has
such a long tail it could rip the tail to shreds
unless it takes off backwards. The Quetzal is
an endangered species and is pictured on the
Guatemalan flag.
Source: www.usefultriva.com