Posted in Acetylcholine, insects, pain on July 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Via Homely Scientist, I’m introduced to the shockingly large Vespa mandarinia (a.k.a. the Asian Giant Hornet, a.k.a. Japanese Hornet).
He quotes the wikipedia article on the species:
The venom contains 5% acetylcholine, a greater concentration than is present in bee or other wasp venoms. Acetylcholine stimulates the pain nerve fibres, intensifying the pain of the sting.
I haven’t [...]
Posted in Acetylcholine, Dopamine, Serotonin, evolution, insects on July 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Kelley at Bugs for Thugs:
Do insects have the same kinds of neurotransmitters as humans do? A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that is released when a nerve impulse reaches the synapse. Yes insects have them and even more they have some of the same neurotransmitters as vertebrates do, such as serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine.
