Chapter 44.2, Problem 2CS

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Whether the use of statoliths is unique to animals or they exist in another kingdom too.

Introduction:

There are different kinds of mechanoreceptor found in the animal kingdom. One of the roles of mechanoreceptors is in maintaining equilibrium or balance. Statocysts are mechanoreceptors responsible for physical equilibrium in many marine invertebrates. The statocyst consists of a round structure with hair like cells and tiny granules of a dense object called statoliths. The statolith responds to gravity, stimulating the hair-like cells that inform the brain about the position of the organism.