worms

[andy rue]

do worms have brains

[Lonnie]

The answer, would appear to be yes, www.scienceshorts.com/021106mb.htm

[123345]

I dispair I really do.

[josaphine32]

lol..... i wonder what they think

[Clanad]

The earthworm's brain is only vaguely analogous to those of higher animals. It does play a role in helping with the direction and movement of the animal, but it can be removed and the worm will continue to function...

[wolf63]

so you mean, Clanad, that they are all like me first thing in the morning or, even, the majority of the male sex or .............

[Clanad]

Hmmm... worms, when cut in two can continue life in both segments, giving them the ability to be two places at the same time... completely disproving Einstein... quite an accomplishment, no?

[gazzawazza]

Clanad, I thought that was an old wives tale.

I tested that theory loads of times (in the interests of scientific advancement) when I was a little kid and both parts always died.

I was only ickle!

[Clanad]

Actually, gazza, my answer was meant to be tongu in cheek, but, pedantically, If you cut a worm into two pieces, you may get two worms, if you don't cut too far down the worm (only 7 or 8 segments down). If you cut the worm in half, you'll get one live worm after the head end grows back, but the stress of being chopped in two may kill both ends. Large angle worms have about 150 segments as an example... according to the MadSci network...

[Kelvin]

Worms do not have brains. Their central nervous system consists of a pair of fused cerebral ganglia, two circumpharyngeal commisures and a sub-pharyngeal ganglion, connected to a double ventral nerve cord.

[yellowocean]

I have has the worst week i can remember. My lodger pi***d off and left me in a financial mess. My (now x) partner is no more and was violent just before he departed. I am job hunting and mid way through setting up my own business and i have not laughed in ???? months But "Do worms have brains" has got me! honestly i am creasing up now. Don't get me wrong i dont care if they do or dont but thats great. Whats worse is its turning into one of them laughs you cant control. Feel great. Cheers andy rue xx