Monday, May 8, 2023

The evolution of honey bee brains

Researchers have proposed a new model for the evolution of higher brain functions and behaviors in the Hymenoptera order of insects. The team compared the Kenyon cells, a type of neuronal cell, in the mushroom bodies (a part of the insect brain involved in learning, memory and sensory integration) of 'primitive' sawflies and sophisticated honey bees. They found that three diverse, specialized Kenyon cell subtypes in honey bee brains appear to have evolved from a single, multifunctional Kenyon cell-subtype ancestor. In the future, this research could help us better understand the evolution of some of our own higher brain functions and behaviors.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/XdNEQ9x

No comments:

Post a Comment

New drugs could wipe out the “zombie cells” linked to cancer and aging

Researchers found a new way to kill harmful “zombie” cells that linger after chemotherapy and help cancers become more aggressive. These sen...