A direct line through the brain to avoid rotten food -- a full STOP signal for Drosophila

Consuming putrid food can be lethal as it allows bacterial pathogens to enter the digestive system. Scientists have decoded the mechanisms underlying an escape reflex in Drosophila activated in order to avoid eating food infected by toxic microorganisms. A super-sensitive neural line is activated as soon as the flies perceive the tiniest amount of geosmin, a substance released by toxic bacteria and mold fungi.

Read the whole article on Science Daily

More from Science Daily