How Do Fly’s Drink Water?
WouterIf you’ve ever wondered how flies drink water, you’re not alone. Scientists have discovered that thirst completely changes their behavior. After six hours without food, water-deprived flies gravitate toward the liquid they crave. This behaviour is a function of a specific subset of dopamine-using neurons, which are activated by thirst. The flies then value the liquid by detecting its vapor.
Adult flies feed on plant nectar and other liquids that provide nutrients. They also “spit” on dry foods to “suck in” extra nutrients. These insects are sometimes a danger to humans because they contaminate our food and can make us sick. Female flies also feed on the blood of vertebrate hosts, primarily to provide protein for their eggs.
Scientists have also shown that flies have taste cells and that these cells are tuned to different tastes. By studying fruit flies, Scott and his colleagues have identified and characterized the genes that control these cells. They also found that fruit flies have two types of gustatory receptors: bitter and sweet. To further study how flies taste, Fischler is trying to isolate the CO2-sensing nerve cell. This nerve cell sends a signal to the brain when food becomes carbonated. This will enable Fischler and his team to test whether humans also have carbonation receptors on their taste cells.
While the average person believes that a fly has only a 24 hour lifespan, a fly can actually live for days or months. It can also have several species with a lifetime of just a few days or weeks. This short lifespan means that flies are vulnerable to many predators. The brain of a fly has approximately 100,000 neurons.
