Statocyst

   

The statocyst is a balance organ present in some aquatic invertebrates (Cnidarians, Ctenophores, Bilaterians). It consists of a sac-like structure containing a mineralised mass (statolith) and numerous innervated sensory hairs (setae). The statholith possesses inertia, causing the mass to move when accelerated. Deflection of seta by the statolith in response to gravity activates neurons, providing feedback to the animal on change in orientation and allowing balance to be maintained.

See: Accelerometer, Inertial guidance

Retrieved from "http://www.mywiseowl.com/articles/Statocyst"

This page has been accessed 172 times. This page was last modified 19:13, 21 Nov 2004. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License (see Copyrights for details).