What is the lateral line system?
Q: What is the lateral line system?
A: The lateral line system is a system of sense organs found in fish that detects movement and vibration in the surrounding water.
Q: What are hair cells?
A: Hair cells are modified epithelial cells that respond to changes around the fish and turn the changes into electrical impulses which go to their central nervous system.
Q: What is the function of the lateral line system in fish?
A: The lateral line system is used in schooling, predation, and orientation. For example, fish use their lateral line system to follow the vortices produced by fleeing prey.
Q: Where are the lateral lines located in fish?
A: The lateral lines are faint lines running lengthwise down each side, from the gill covers to the base of the tail.
Q: How do some species modify their lateral line receptive organs?
A: In some species, the receptive organs of the lateral line have been modified to function as electroreceptors, which are organs used to detect electrical impulses.
Q: Do land vertebrates have a lateral line system?
A: No, the lateral line system is found only in fish and not in land vertebrates.
Q: Do amphibians have a system similar to the lateral line?
A: Yes, most amphibian larvae and some fully aquatic adult amphibians have systems which work a bit like the lateral line.
