Scientists discover that Sea Urchin's nervous system can acts like brain

Scientists discover that Sea Urchin's nervous system can acts like brain (Image: Canva)

New research shows sea urchins possess a brain-like body system. Their nervous network is spread throughout, rather than centralised in one area. This challenges traditional ideas about how complex brains evolved. The discovery may change how scientist's study nervous systems in animals.

A Distributed Intelligence

Sea urchins lack a conventional central brain seen in vertebrates. Instead, neurons are dispersed across their entire body, forming networks. Many express genes typical of vertebrate brain systems, including humans. This suggests complex processing can occur without a single brain centre.

Light-Sensitive Body

Researchers found light-detecting cells throughout the urchin's nervous network. These cells allow the animals to sense and respond to external light. They are not limited to simple nerve nets as previously believed. This ability might help urchins navigate and react in their environments.

Evolutionary Implications

The study hints that sophisticated nervous systems evolved in different ways. Animals without a central brain may still develop brain-like processing abilities. Sea urchins provide a model for understanding neural organisation diversity. Findings could reshape theories of animal cognition and sensory evolution.

Future Research Directions

Scientists aim to map how these neurons communicate across the body. They hope to explore behaviour patterns linked to the dispersed nervous system. Further studies may uncover similar systems in other invertebrates and echinoderms. This discovery emphasise on how even simple-looking animals possess hidden complexity.