Shedding New Light on the Evolutionary Origin of the Head

 


Shedding New Light on the Evolutionary Origin of the Head


A recently published study examines the sea anemone N E M A T O S T E L B L A to determine whether one of its ends resembles the head of higher animals, in an effort to shed new light on the evolutionary origin of the head. 


The head's evolutionary history has been better understood thanks to new research from the S A R S Center in Bergen. They demonstrate in a study that was published in the journal P L O S Biology that in a simple, brainless sea anemone, the same genes that regulate the development of the head in higher animals also regulate the development of the swimming larvae's front end. 


In numerous creatures, the cerebrum is situated in a particular design—the head, along with tactile organs, and frequently along with the mouth. Sea anemones and corals, however, are even more distantly related animals that lack a brain but have a nervous system. 


A research team led by F A B A N R E N T Z S C H used the sea anemone N E M A T O S T E L A in this study to determine whether one of its ends resembles the head of higher animals. During the embryonic development of the starlet sea anemone, they investigated the function of genes that regulate head development in higher animals. 


According to first author and PhD student Chiara, "despite looking completely different, it has become clear over the course of the last ten years that all animals have a similar repertoire of genes, including those that are required to make the heads of higher animals"


Stands on its head when it is a larva, the sea anemone swims. The sea anemone grows up to stand with one end on the sea floor and use its long tentacles on its upper end to catch small animals and stuff them into the one body opening in the middle of the tentacle ring. 


R E N T Z S C H explains, "The lower end of these animals has traditionally been called the foot, and the upper end the head, based on the appearance of the adult animals" 


The group discovered that the "head gene" function of sea anemones is located at the end that corresponds to the "foot" of adult animals. The key was to study the hatchlings of the ocean anemones when they actually moved around. 


According to R E N T Z S C H, the larvae swim with their "foot" end facing forward. This end houses their primary sense organ, so at this stage, it appears more like their head. In fact, this side of the animal is where the "head genes" are active. 


Ocean anemones and every higher creature, including people, share a typical brainless precursor that lived somewhere in the past. 


S I N I G A G I-A and R E N T Z S C H explain, "By revealing the function of "head genes", we now better understand how and from where the head and brain of higher animals evolved"

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What Is Difference Between Chia Seeds And Flaxseed

Image
  Certain seeds have gained a reputation as superfoods in recent years. Examples include the well-known chia and flax seeds. Both have been linked to health benefits such as a healthier heart, lower blood sugar levels, and protection against certain types of cancer. However, many people wonder which of the two seeds is actually the healthiest. Both are extremely rich in nutrients. To answer this question, this article looks at the scientific evidence that supports each The Saliva Hispanic plant, more commonly referred to as the chia plant, is the source of the tiny oval-shaped chia seeds. Chia seeds are slightly larger and flatter than flax seeds. Flax seeds, on the other hand, have a slightly nuttier flavor than chia seeds. However, incorporating both kinds of seeds into a variety of dishes is simple Nutrition comparison Comparative analysis of the nutrients present in chia and flax seeds The major nutrients contained in a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving, or approximately 4 tablespoons,...
Read more

Overconsumption of Common Red Food Dye May Lead to Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Image
  Allure Red AC, a synthetic dye found in popular foods like Skittles, Doritos, Gatorade, Jell-O, and Fruit Loops, has been linked to an increased risk of developing inflammatory bowel diseases (I-B D S) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis if consumed frequently. The dye, also known as FD & C Red 40 and Food Red 17, is thought to have negative effects on gut health and increase inflammation, according to a small study done on laboratory mice. The study, which was recently published in Nature Communications, found that the additive directly breaks the gut barrier, which helps keep bacteria from getting in, and that it also makes more serotonin, a hormone and neurotransmitter in the gut. According to the report, this reaction alters the microbiome of the gut, making people more likely to develop inflammatory bowel conditions. What we have found is striking and alarming, as this common synthetic food dye may be a dietary trigger for I-B D S, said senior author W-A L-I U...
Read more

Border violence displaces 76,000 in Lebanon: Hezbollah

 The International Organization for Migration (IOM) of the United Nations reported on Friday that nearly three months of nearly daily fighting along the border with Israel had resulted in the displacement of more than 76,000 people in Lebanon. The boundary region has seen a flood of viciousness since early October, with blow for blow trades of fire forging ahead with Friday between Israeli powers and Hezbollah. In a report distributed on Thursday, the IOM said that the heightening had uprooted 76,018 individuals, predominantly in areas of southern Lebanon lining Israel. More than 80% of the dislodged Lebanese are remaining with family members, as per the report, and just two percent housed in 14 aggregate sanctuaries spread across the south of the country, predominantly in the seaside city of Tire and in the Hasbaya locale. The remainder, according to the UN agency, have relocated to homes or apartments further from the border. Cross-line brutality has left 175 individuals dead in ...
Read more