The Octopus Brain

1265 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Octopus intelligence research papers

In 350 BC, the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who was arguably among the most intelligent men in the world, wrote in his History of Animals that the octopus is “a stupid creature, for it will approach a man’s hand if it be lowered in the water” (Nuwer, R. 2013). However, Aristotle was inaccurate in his depictions since in actuality, the octopus is one of the most complex and intelligent creatures of the sea. Research has indicated that octopods not only demonstrate a strong problem-solving ability, they possess unique personalities and cognitive abilities that allow them to navigate through mazes and learn through observation. Unlike other species within the Mollusca family, Octopods are especially known for their high degree of intelligence. Despite the discoveries which have been made pertaining to their complex brain structures, in addition to obvious signs of centralization within the brain, there remains much about cognition that remains undiscovered. In this research, the author will present the most recent findings which support the notion that octopi learn through observational learning. This material will be reviewed in order to attempt to explain the complexity of the octopus brain, which is not completely understood. The researcher will review the most recent findings that …show more content…

This feature is in sharp contrast with that of its closest relatives, the mollusks, which are not known for the complexity of their brain structure. The octopus brain is categorized into three distinct segments; the central brain and two optic lobes which are located directly outside of the central brain. The brain itself is divided into five areas; Lower, Intermediate, and higher motor censors, receptor analyzers, and memory centers (Lisieski 2010). These characteristics indicate a highly-developed brain which contains specific, individual parts for major survival

Show More
Related

  • Octopuses Essay

    1545 Words  | 4 Pages

    This system is able to process information quickly due to the short distances between neurons (Williams, 2011). Williams (2011) notes, by invertebrate standards, octopuses show exceptional cognitive mental capabilities that are rivaled only by some of the “higher” vertebrates, such as chimpanzees, dolphins, and humans. The decentralized design of the nervous system allows for decision making at different levels, i.e.: in the brain, or in the arms, which possess their own peripheral nervous system (Mather & Kuba, 2013; Stolzenburg, 1993). The arm’s nervous system has twice as much “neural firepower” as the brain and contains approximately three-fifths of all the body’s neurons (Stolzenburg, 1993; Williams, 2011). This portion of the nervous system is semi-autonomous, performing with minimal input from the brain but, when necessary, can exert centralized control over the arms (Godfrey-Smith, 2013; Williams, 2011). The arms also contain several sensory organs, including statocysts, olfactory organs and a system that is analogous to the lateral line in fishes (Alves et al.,

    Read More

  • The Characteristics Of The Star-Nosed Mole By Sean Zera

    715 Words  | 2 Pages

    The outer tentacles probe for a potential meal, then the inner sensors decide if the prey is edible. They are covered in thick, blackish-brown, water-repellent fur, and have large scaled feet and a long, thick tail. This animal is by far one of the most interesting animals in the world, despite looking like a cross between a rat and an octopus. The way it behaves and utilizes its star nose is fascinating and makes it very unique when compared to other animals.

    Read More

  • Sheep Brain Lab Report

    443 Words  | 1 Pages

    The braine has three layers into exterior of the entire brain.1-meninges, 2-dura mater and 3-arachnoid layer and the pia mater.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Consider The Lobster

    1246 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Taxonomically speaking, a lobster is a marine crustacean of the family Homaridae, characterized by five pairs of jointed legs, the first pair terminating in large pincerish claws used for subduing prey…. Moreover, a crustacean is an aquatic arthropod of the class Crustacea, which comprises of crabs, shrimp, barnacles, lobsters, and freshwater crayfish” (Wallace, 55). This is an example of Logos since the author uses scientific facts to convey the message he wants to communicate in an objective way. Wallace also uses logos as a persuasive device by presenting facts on the science of the lobster’s neurological system and its ability to feel pain. The Maine Lobster Promotion Council states “The nervous system of a lobster is very simple, and is in fact most similar to the nervous system of a grasshopper. It is decentralized with no brain. There is no cerebral cortex, which in humans is the area of the brain that gives the experience of pain”. Wallace counter-argues this statement by mentioning the fact that since lobsters have a simpler nervous system compared to humans, they are unable to produce their own natural opiates. “One can conclude that lobsters are maybe even more vulnerable to pain, since they lack mammalian nervous systems’ built-in analgesia, or, instead, that the absence of natural opioids implies an absence of the really intense

    Read More

  • How Flexible is the Brain's Circuitry?

    1696 Words  | 4 Pages

    The brain is a complicated organ, containing an estimated 100 billion neurons and around 1,000 to 10,000 synapses for each of those neurons (1). This organ has the great responsibility of not only controlling and regulating the functions of the body but also sensing and perceiving the world around it. In humans, it is what we believe makes us the highly adaptive and intelligent organisms that we are, as well as give us our individuality. But with so many parts and connections to it, what happens when the brain's delicate circuitry is disrupted? We've all heard of brain damage, and its horrible results, whether is a news report on TV or science books. It seems that with trauma, disruption of blood supply, and disease; neurons and their connections could be destroyed and the organism's behavior exceedingly affected. Yet I've read about how people have overcome tremendous damage to their brains and gone on to function with very minimal handicaps.

    Read More

  • Effects of Cocaine, Seratonin and Melatonin on the Brain

    2627 Words  | 6 Pages

    We know relatively very little about the complex organ called the brain. Our brain responds to nature's eternal external rhythms like seasons, tides, the sun and the moon. Animal instincts for survival are based on rhythms and drives of the brain. The brain is a collection of tissues that perform and respond to basic functions, desires and needs. The human brain is the most changed, enriched and complex brain through evolutionary terms, however, in its most basic form, it is the same as other brains of the Animal Kingdom. If one eliminates the cerebral cortex, one basically eliminates humanity and the brain becomes identical to that of a cat. If one removes even more, the brain becomes like that of an iguana.

    Read More

  • Niko Tinbergen's Four Questions

    1531 Words  | 4 Pages

    Johan, J. B. G. .. d. V. a. J. P. K., 1990. Filial Imprinting and Associatid Learning. THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY, Volume 428, pp. 313-329.

    Read More

  • Cerebral Cortex Case Study

    598 Words  | 2 Pages

    The cerebrum consists of two hemispheres, separated by a deep fissure called the Corpus Callosum, the hemispheres are divided into four lobes; the frontal, partials, occipital and temporal.

    Read More

  • Exploring Growth and Fixed Mindsets: a Personal Journey

    781 Words  | 2 Pages

    A growth mindset is the belief that you can learn anything you want without a limit. You will not give up and face any challenge in life until you overcome it. A fixed mindset is the belief that you can learn till you reach a certain point. Also, that you will not succeed in life and as soon as you come across a tough challenge you will let it bring you down and won’t ever get back up or face that challenge. Since reading “Brainology” by Carol Dweck, I discovered that I have a growth mindset and fragments of a fixed mindset my whole life.

    Read More

  • Neurobiology

    520 Words  | 2 Pages

    Neurobiology is a theory that deals with the brain and your nerves. It determines if you are a left or right brain person. One of the theorists is named Roger Sperry. He was a very big neurobiologist. A disease that deals with this theory is ADD/ADHD.

    Read More

  • How The Brain And Neurons Works

    983 Words  | 2 Pages

    This paper involves how the brain and neurons works. The target is to display the brain and neurons behavior by sending signals. The nervous system that sends it like a text message. This becomes clear on how we exam in the brain. The techniques show how the brain create in order for the nerves about 100 billion cells. Neurons in the brain may be the only fractions of an inch in length. How powerful the brain could be while controlling everything around in. When it’s sending it signals to different places, and the neurons have three types: afferent neurons, efferent neurons, and the interneurons. In humans we see the old part of emotions which we create memories plus our brain controls heart beating, and breathing. The cortex helps us do outside of the brain touch, feel, smell, and see. It’s also our human thinking cap which we plan our day or when we have to do something that particular day. Our neurons are like pin head. It’s important that we know how our brain and neurons play a big part in our body. There the one’s that control our motions, the way we see things. Each neuron has a job to communicate with other neurons by the brain working network among each cell. Neurons are almost like a forest where they sending chemical signals. Neurons link up but they don’t actually touch each other. The synapses separates there branches. They released 50 different neurons.

    Read More

  • Octopus Research Paper

    541 Words  | 2 Pages

    Have you ever wanted to slap eight people at once? Or if you're more of a mushy, touchy, feely person, have you ever wanted to hug eight people at once? An octopus can do either or both of these if they want to! So you know an octopus is lucky being able to do this but what's an octopuses habitat? Since they can slap eight things at once do they have predators? Or since we're on the facty facts subject where do they live?

    Read More

  • The Human Brain

    2065 Words  | 5 Pages

    The area at the front of the brain is the largest. Most of it is known as the cerebrum. It controls all of the movements that you have to think about, thought and memory.

    Read More

  • The Nervous System: The Nervous System

    1002 Words  | 3 Pages

    The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It contains all the tools that are responsible the majority of the brains functions. The cerebrum is split up into four sections: frontal lobe, occiptal lobe and pariental lobe. The cerebrum has two sections the right and the left hemisphere that are connected by axons that send messages to and from one another. The matter in this part is made up of cells that carry signals between the nerve cells and the organs that run through the

    Read More

  • The Human Nervous System

    2573 Words  | 6 Pages

    The nervous system is composed of all nerve tissue in the body. This organ system forms a communication and coordination network between all parts of the body. It plays a major role in everyday activities such as breathing, walking even blinking. It is made up of nerve tissues to receive and transmit stimuli to nervous centers and initiate response. Neurons are nerve cells that transmit signals from one location of the body to another. With damage to the nervous system the body would not be able to function properly. The body has to be well taken care of in order to insure proper regulation. The two anatomical divisions that work hand in hand to help regulate the nervous system are the central and peripheral nervous system. According to the Campbell’s seventh edition biology book the nervous system is the most intricately organized data processing system on earth. It is a complex collection of nerves and specialized cells.

    Read More

More about The Octopus Brain

Open Document