answersLogoWhite

0

An aquatic animal's nervous system would function pretty much the same as their land-based counterparts; also showing a similar degree of variation and complexity. The size and characteristics depend on the species, but the components in aquatic environment are the same as in the terrestrial: the basic unit of the nervous system is a nerve cell or neuron, which has an electrical resting potential created by an electrical potential difference across the cell membrane caused by ions such as sodium, potassium and calcium. This balance can quickly change or become depolarized as a result of a received stimulus, for example from a neighboring neuron via chemical transmitters across a gap (synapse) between the two adjacent nerve cells. The nerves are connected into neural networks, which, together with a brain, spinal cord and nerve bundles (ganglia) throughout the body, constitute the nervous system.

The degree of complexity varies with the organism's need to transport stimuli around the body. The simplest organisms, (including aquatic ones) don't use or need a nervous system. Notionally if you are unicellular there is little requirement for a nervous system, since ostensibly the purpose of a nerve network would be to propagate a signal between different parts of a large multicellular body. The bigger and more complex the organism and more complicated tasks tasks it needs to perform the more urgent the need for an organized means of transporting stimuli. Yet, some relatively large multicellular aquatic animals have nothing which we might term a nervous system, like the sea sponges (Porifera). Sea anemones have a primitive nervous system but no real brain and no dedicated sensory organs; the nerves facilitate responses to stimuli and other biochemical processes but are not centralized. Some like jellyfish are similarly de-centralized, evidencing a network of nerves and ganglia but again nothing we might call a brain, yet are capable of responding to stimuli, including detection of salinity, co-ordination of movement, and in some, specialized sensory structures and a response to light with simplified eyes (ocelli). Arthropods, like crabs, lobsters, shrimp, etc., have a ladder-like system of nerves on their underside with paired ganglia in each segment, terminating in a rather small brain around the esophagus. Cephalopods, for example octopi, often considered the most intelligent invertebrates, have well-developed senses and large centralized nervous system (brain) and have shown the ability to learn and employ mimicry or insight to solve problems. Aquatic mammals like dolphins have acute eyesight and hearing and large, highly developed brains, and evidence social behavior, co-operation, and significant problem-solving and learning abilities.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

How does the excretory system work with the nervous system?

it all work together the nervous system works with every single system


How do organophosphate pesticides work?

Organophosphate pesticides attack the nervous system of insects and animals leading to death. These are dangerous.


What is the to nervous system?

The nervous system work very closelly to the endocrine system (hormones).


Which organ system do vertebrate animals use to help them respond to their environment?

Vertebrate animals use the nervous system to help them respond to their environment. This system includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, which work together to process sensory information and coordinate appropriate responses to stimuli in the environment.


What are the 2 divisions of the nervous system and their work?

there aren't 2 divisions of the nervous system. (:


What system does the muscular system work with closely?

Nervous system


How does the excretory system works with the nervous system?

it all work together the nervous system works with every single system


Why are nervous system important?

because most systems work hand in hand with the nervous system.


Does the nervous system work with the skeletal system?

Yes, the nervous system and skeletal system work together in the body. The nervous system sends signals to the skeletal muscles to produce movement, while the skeletal system provides structural support and protection for the nervous system. Additionally, the spinal cord, which is part of the nervous system, is protected by the vertebrae of the spinal column in the skeletal system.


How does the nervous system work together to allow someone to respond to its environment?

The nervous system, muscles, glands (endocrine system), the heart, lungs and the digestive system all work together as a whole. Without the nervous system none of this would be possible.


What part of the nervous system controls all body activities?

The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that controls all body activities, but it could not work without the peripheral nervous system.


What system work closely with the nervous system?

lalalalalalala land