SCIENTISTS ARE READING THE MINDS OF ANIMALS
With a total of 302 brain cells, the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans might not be considered intelligent in the grand scheme of things. Nevertheless, the 1mmlong creature thinks and feels like us in many ways. Scientists have discovered this by means of a new method that allows them to see each and every nerve signal in the worm’s tiny brain as a small flash of light.
By means of similar methods that send electrons deep into the brain, scientists can observe the detailed brain activity of larger animals without interfering with their behaviour. The results demonstrate that even such tiny creatures are not mere ‘machines’ that carry out automatic actions. They consider options and then adjust their behaviour to suit any given situation.
Even with only 302 brain cells at its disposal, C. elegans behaves like a rational being. Nerve signals do not always flow in the same networks, rather they change direction and find new paths between brain cells depending on the circumstances.
New methods have already allowed us surprising insight into animals’ inner lives and
