CATDOLL : CATDOLL: What is the function of the lateral line of fish? What is the function of the lateral line of fish?

1. What is the function of the lateral line of fish? What is the function of the lateral line of fish?

When the fish is swimming, we gently touch the water surface at a certain distance from it, and the fish will quickly become alert and flee from the original place. The reason why the fish reacts so quickly to the vibration of the water is mainly due to the role of the fish's lateral line. It can sense low-frequency vibrations that the fish's ears cannot sense. When the enemy approaches, it can detect it in time and flee. When swimming back in groups, the movements of companions can also be understood through the lateral line. The reason why the lateral line has such a function is related to the complete nerve tissue of the lateral line. The lateral line on the surface of the fish body is a few small holes. These small holes are connected to the lateral line tube under the skin. There are many sensory nodules distributed on the tube wall. Through the sensory nerve endings, it reaches the brain directly through the lateral line nerve.

2. What is the purpose of the lateral line of fish?

Lateral line organ

Lateral line organ

lateral line organ

The sensory organs of fish and aquatic amphibians that receive external stimuli such as water flow pressure, low-frequency vibration, and temperature changes. The lateral line organs of fish are the most developed, generally located on both sides of the body, starting from the head and distributed along the long axis of the entire body along the direction of the horizontal muscle septum, and arranged in a linear manner to the tail, so they are also called lateral line sensory organs, or lateral line systems. The distribution of lateral line organs is not limited to the trunk of fish. There are also developed lateral line organs in the head of fish, and below the head are the secondary branches of this system. The distribution of lateral line organs on the body surface of different fish is different. This is one of the signs of fish classification. Lateral line organs are helpful for animals to adapt to aquatic environments. The lateral line organ is a multiple sensory device arranged "from head to tail". It is like a series of multiple alarms placed along the long axis of the body, which is conducive to detecting stimuli from different directions, and it is also convenient to use the time difference of alarms of receptors in different parts to determine the direction of the stimulus.

The lateral line organ can sense the stimulation of water flow and the information that disturbs the calmness in the water. Using conditioned reflex, it is proved that some fish of the genus  can identify the information generated by the movement of a fiber with a diameter of 1/4 mm for a distance of 2 mm at a distance of 10 mm from the body and head, and can accurately identify the source of the interference information. This function of positioning in the water is of great significance for catching food. Fish can also use the lateral line organ to sense the subtle water flow in the water and the local water flow changes caused by the movement of other solid objects. In addition, the lateral line organ is also an auxiliary proprioceptor of fish. When the fish swims and the muscle contraction causes the body curvature to change, it will cause the lateral line organ sensory device to release impulses to the central nervous system, thereby regulating the activity of the body. In addition, the lateral line sensory organ can also sense low-frequency sound stimulation. Some people believe that the lateral line organ is an auxiliary organ of hearing. The lateral line receptor is extremely sensitive to the flow of liquid in the lateral line duct, and it reacts differently to perfusion from different directions. Some fibers stop discharging when perfused from the head, and discharge increases when perfused from the tail. When the perfusion speed reaches between 2 and 16 mm/s, it can cause the electrical discharge of the lateral line sensory nerve fibers, and it has the characteristic of being difficult to adapt. Since the physiological characteristics of the lateral line sensory nerves are similar to those of the neurons in the inner ear labyrinth system, it may be related to the function of the labyrinth system. In addition, some fish can sense the water temperature difference of 0.03 to 0.05°C. However, after the lateral line organ is damaged, the sensitivity to water temperature is significantly reduced. This shows that the lateral line organ also has the function of sensing water temperature.

3. Additional explanation on the role of the lateral line of fish

1. The lateral line is used for guidance.

Second, it can sense low-frequency vibrations that the inner ear cannot sense. This is important for finding bait. Fish live in water and rely on plankton, shrimps, and small fish as bait. The slight movement of small fish and shrimps in the water, the fluctuation of plankton caused by the wind, or the fluctuation when you throw bait during fishing, fish can sense it through the lateral line and accurately find these baits.

3. The lateral line can make up for the fish’s lack of vision.

4. What is the use of the lateral lines on both sides of the fish body?

The lateral lines on both sides of the fish body are used by fish to sense the direction of water flow.