The Surprising Power of an Electric Eel’s Shock
By: Carl Zimmer
Source: New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/science/the-surprising-power-of-an-electric-eels-shock.html?ref=science
In the late 1700s, scientists began
to consider the fact that the electric eel’s shock may contain the same
substances as lightning. An Italian physicist, named Alessandro Volta, began to
experiment with electric eels. He found that electric eels have a stack of
muscles, which may allow them to store electric charges. Volta stacked metal
sheets made of copper and zinc. In his experiment, he found that these metal
sheets could store a huge amount of energy. This experiment was the predated
version of batteries. Recently, doctor Catania found that electric eels use
small shocks to lure their victims out and later use large shocks to paralyze
them. He found that the paralysis could be transferred within three
milliseconds. Catania also found that the shock alter the connection between
muscles and the spine. Electric eels search the bottom regions of their habitat
for prey. Naturally, prey hide from their predator. However, the electric eel
has the ability to send a doublet, causing the prey to flail around because of
increased electrical activity in the area.
Electric
eels have the same ability as a Taser. They possess special qualities that
could be used for other purposes. Scientists have also found that five other
species exist that are similar to electric eels. Scientists have made a
significant breakthrough in biology. However, they do not know how electric
eels paralyze their victims. Perhaps, trying to discover how they conduct
paralysis, can lead to many new secrets. It is exciting to witness how fish how
evolved to produce electricity in order to survive.
An enthralling choice of topic Sevag! It sure is exciting to witness how sea animals, like these eels, have evolved to producing electricity in order to survive. I find your topic captivating as these types of issues/subjects fascinate me. This was quite an intriguing post to read, Sevag. Keep it up buddy!:D
ReplyDeleteThis is an intriguing topic. It is fascinating the methods different animals use to survive and the eel’s electricity is a strong example. This topic is a change of pace from most of the science articles the class chooses to write about that deal greatly with medicine or technology. I enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the comparison you made between electric eels and tasers. This article brilliantly demonstrates how advanced certain types of predators can be. I wonder how mysterious the origin of eels' hunting strategies is. Perhaps evolution or technological advancement will someday permit humans to emit electricity from their bodies and paralyze their foes, similar to a superpower.
ReplyDeleteThis was by far one of the most diverse and yet wonderful post I have read this year. Not only was it a fascinating topic it was also incredibly well analyzed and described. The vocabulary you used was spectacular and the comparisons you made created such vivid pictures that I could relate to as a reader. Amazing job, keep it up!
ReplyDeleteYou have provided the reader with vivid descriptions and have analyzed the topic very well. I do not think I have read a blog similar to this one; you have picked a different and unique topic. I enjoyed reading this diverse scientific topic. Great job Sevag! I am looking forward to reading more of your blogs.
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ReplyDeleteWow, Sevag! This post definitely caught my eye. You explained and summarized the article perfectly. This was extremely intriguing to read, as it spoke about how a creature such as the eel adapted to have the ability to store and emit electrical shocks that are similar to lightning. Amazing work. It makes me wonder how the animals that are familiar to us today will evolve in the future to adapt to the ever-changing climate and environment.
ReplyDeleteWow, Sevag! This post definitely caught my eye. You explained and summarized the article perfectly. This was extremely intriguing to read, as it spoke about how a creature such as the eel adapted to have the ability to store and emit electrical shocks that are similar to lightning. Amazing work. It makes me wonder how the animals that are familiar to us today will evolve in the future to adapt to the ever-changing climate and environment.
ReplyDelete