Short Wave Why Scientists Just Mapped Every Synapse In A Fly Brain
Mar 29, 2023
NPR science correspondent Jon Hamilton, a neuroscience enthusiast, dives into groundbreaking research on the complete wiring diagram of a fruit fly larva's brain. He discusses how this mapping of synapses can illuminate the complexities of human brain architecture. The conversation reveals how understanding insect brains can shed light on learning, behavior, and even neurological disorders. The teamwork involved in this ambitious scientific pursuit underscores its potential impact on our identity and consciousness.
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Fruit Fly Connectome
- Scientists created the first complete wiring diagram of a fruit fly larva's brain.
- This map, called a connectome, helps us understand how human brains are wired.
Human Brain Complexity
- Mapping a human brain's connections is complex due to its vast number of neurons and connections.
- A human brain has around 84 billion cells, each with about 10,000 connections.
Starting Simple
- Researchers started with simpler brains like the roundworm C. elegans.
- It has about 300 neurons and 7,000 connections, much less than a fruit fly larva.