Animal evolution: looking for the first nervous system

Curr Biol. 2014 Jul 21;24(14):R655-R658. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.06.036.

Abstract

The human brain is easily the most baffling bit of biology on the planet. How did the nervous system evolve? What came first: neurons or synaptic proteins? A new paper studying the pancake-shaped Trichoplax suggests it was not the neurons.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neurosecretion / physiology*
  • Placozoa / anatomy & histology*
  • Placozoa / cytology*