Bizarre blob-like animal may hint at origins of neurons

A sea animal so easy that it seems to be like a blobby pancake might maintain the key to the origin of neurons.

Placozoans are one of many 5 main branches of animals, together with bilaterians (which embody every thing from worms to people), cnidarians (corals and medusas), sponges and ctenophores (comb jellies). They’re probably the most fundamental of the bunch, consisting of millimeter-long blobs of cells with out organs or physique components. They transfer via the water utilizing cilia — tiny hair-like constructions — take in vitamins by engulfing particles, and reproduce by merely budding off new offspring.