Fruit Flies Shut Down Limb-Sensing Nerve Cells During Motion
Researchers have discovered that fruit flies silence specific nerve cells that sense limb movement during active behaviors like walking and grooming. This intriguing neurological ‘switch’ allows the nervous system to alternate between two distinct states: one dedicated to body movement control and another for body stability.
Why Do Flies Suppress These Nerve Signals?
When a fruit fly starts moving, its nervous system temporarily turns off the nerve cells that normally detect its limb positions. Scientists believe this helps the fly’s brain focus on coordinating movement rather than being distracted by constant sensory feedback. When the fly stops, these nerve cells reactivate, helping the insect regain balance and stability.
This research sheds new light on how animals—including humans—manage complex bodily motions by filtering out unnecessary sensory information at just the right times. Understanding these neural mechanisms could inspire advances in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Sources:
Phys.org – Fly nerve cells that sense limb movement are turned off during active motion, study shows
