But in fact, this cell is capable of generating electricity. The electrocardiogram and brain waves we often hear are actually bioelectrical reactions. Power generation comes from cell bioelectricity. Because of the different distribution of protein and ions inside and outside the cell membrane, there is a potential difference inside and outside the cell membrane. Once a cell is stimulated, ions will pass through the cell membrane to generate current, which can be transmitted to another cell, thus causing information to spread in the body. However, for most living things, this power generation ability is involuntary.
Except electric eels, they can control the power generation and external discharge in the body, so fine that they can emit small currents at will. When other animals break into the electric field, the current will change slightly, which is the unique perception way of this electric fish. You can also release a lot of electricity for remote control, so that distant fish can be ready to move after the electricity is stiff. This ability benefits from their specialized muscles. The cells of muscle tissue are stimulated to produce more intense electrical activity, and the muscle cells of electric eel specialize into thin slices and become generators. A special neurotransmitter can be produced in the electric eel, which can stimulate ions to flow quickly inside and outside the generator, so each generator is like a battery with a potential difference between the head and the tail.
Interestingly, Faraday first discovered the phenomenon that the head and tail of the electric eel were electrified. It has carried out many experiments with electric eels, and summed up the best charging method of electric eels, that is, holding the head of electric eels in one hand and the tail of electric eels in the other. Almost all muscle tissues of electric eel can generate electricity and discharge, and each generator can generate a voltage of 0. 15V. The generators of the whole body are arranged in series and parallel, so that a strong voltage is generated between the head and tail of the electric eel, generally between 300-800V V.
The electric eel discharges through the discharge organs on both sides of the body, and the current flows according to the principle of minimum resistance. But there is a thick layer of fat under the skin of electric eel, and the conductivity of fat is much weaker than that of water. Therefore, after the electric eel is discharged, the current flows through the water body, forming a loop between the head and the tail, and the animals within the current range are within the electrified range. In the range of 3 ~ 6 meters in the water, people often touch the electricity released by the electric eel and get knocked unconscious, or even drown in the water. It can be seen that the discharge range of the electric eel is quite good.
However, such a large amount of electricity has no effect on themselves, but is a sharp weapon they use to perceive the external environment, hunt and guard against natural enemies. The only disadvantage may be that the cells will be tired. The activity of cells is due to the release of energy in the body, which may take time to produce, so the electric eel can not discharge continuously for a long time. This power generation capacity is related to the age of the electric eel. The power generation capacity and continuous discharge capacity of small electric eels are relatively weak, while those over one meter are better. But generally, strong stimulation will make electric eel generate electricity and discharge quickly, and it will have no discharge ability for more than ten seconds.
However, in electric eels, different individuals have different discharge abilities, but their compositions are the same, and they all have an insulating layer, which can be larger than the resistance of water, so even the same kind of electric eels will not electrocute electric eels, and even if a big electric eel discharges a smaller electric eel, it will not or will only be slightly damaged because of the blocking of this insulating layer; In reality, even if a group of electric eels get together and have one or two discharges, there is no record of electric eels being electrocuted.
On the contrary, in the same species, this current can be a way to communicate with each other. When the electric eel catches its prey, it will discharge at a higher frequency, and when other electric eels feel it, they will flock to it.