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Why the insect brain is so incredible - Anna Stöckl

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TEDEd Animation

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The human brain is one of the most sophisticated organs in the world, a supercomputer made of billions of neurons that control all of our senses, thoughts, and actions. But there was something Charles Darwin found even more impressive: the brain of an ant, which he called “one of the most marvelous atoms of matter in the world.” Anna Stöckl takes us inside the tiny but mighty insect brain.

The human central nervous system is very brain-centered or cephalized (ie, the brain controls most important body functions and behaviors). In contrast, the insect nervous system is less centralized: local ganglia and the brain share the control of important tasks. Some animals, like jellyfish, don’t have any single centralized nervous center at all. What could be advantages and disadvantages of centralized and decentralized nervous systems?

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Anna Stöckl
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Director Gal Shkedi
  • Animator Gal Shkedi
  • Sound Designer Gal Shkedi
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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