Electric Eel - fish that generates a discharge voltage of 650 V. This voltage could kill a man nearby.Sexually mature electric eel is almost three meters in length, then as its thickness is about ten centimeters.Three electric organs occupy almost 80% of the body of eel, the remaining 20 occupied by other bodies performing vital functions (reproduction, respiration, digestion, etc.).
As a rule, the water inhabited by an electric eel, poor in oxygen, but it does not bother him.For many thousands of years of evolution, he learned to breathe O2.Young conger sees well, but over the years his eyesight is deteriorating.It should be noted that the environment in which he lives, his eyes are not particularly helpful.Acne emit weak electrical impulses (40-50 C), low-voltage level data to help them find their prey.
Of all the fish fauna is only able to generate such an amount of power that can paralyze or even kill a person.Special electro serve fish for orientation, defense, hunting and communication.Electrical discharges capable of delivering about 250 species of fish, however, are only two kinds of fish (eels and rays) produce a charge so strong that it can kill a person.Electricity occurs in the body of animals, including humans.Electrical impulses transmitted through nerve fibers to the brain neurons, since various transmitted signals which occur in the body.The body of eels and rays produced so much energy that they can use it as a weapon.Back in the late 18th century, scientists have found that nerve impulses are elektrohimicheskuyu nature.In other words, even in those early years it was proved that the nerve signals - the movement of ions through the membrane neurocyte.At rest or inactivity of its cell membranes have negative potential (inside the deposited ions K), and outside accumulate both negative and positive ions (sodium and potassium ions).During penetration of sodium ions inside the cell is changed to positive potential.In the normal state due to the operation of "sodium pump" cell gets rid of sodium ions.
Fish eel is well adapted to life in captivity, is a frequent inhabitant of home aquariums.Some fans demonstrate the unique ability of eels using bulbs, wires which are omitted in the aquarium.Sensing potential prey (small fish, pieces of feed), begins to generate electric eel in the aquatic environment electrical discharges.In order to hear the static noises resulting electrodischarges on aquarium set sound amplifiers.Handling such a pet - it is quite dangerous.
unique ability eel scientists are studying for more than a century.During World War II eels used in experiments on the effect of nerve gases, blocking the transmission of impulses, and thus could affect the functional activity of vital organs (heart, lungs, digestive system).Nerve gases inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine (mediator) after it blocks the "sodium pump" neuron.As a rule, acetylcholine in the body immediately after the split, how to perform its primary function.Hydrolytic process is controlled by the enzyme (cholinesterase).Just nerve gases block the activity of this enzyme.
electro eel are characterized by a significant content of cholinesterase.Military experts have used electric eels as the source of the enzyme, which is needed to explore the mechanism of action of nerve gas on the human body.
