<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>

They are smaller than a grain of sand, shaped like a pancake and live in the ocean. They do not sound much like us at all!

After all, we are the speciesA set of animals or plants with similar features. Members of the same species can breed with each other. that created the internet, built rockets and learned how to do complex heart surgery. What do we have in common with a tiny sea blob just three cellCells are the basic building blocks of all living things. A cell is also a room with bars that prisoners are kept in. layers thick?

More than you might think. Scientists believe that these animals, called placozoans, may be like early versions of our nervous systemsThe very complex network of cells and neurons that carries messages to and from the brain. - and therefore also for all of our biggest thoughts, feelings and fears.

They are the "simplest animals on Earth", without any body parts or organsParts of the body that do a specific job, such as the heart or lungs. (including a brain). We have spent years thinking they do not do much.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more </h2>

But scientists have now found evidence that placozoans have "neuronThese are the cells found both in the brain and throughout the nervous system. While they are essential for memory, they do not themselves contain memories. Indeed, an adult brain contains around 41% fewer neurons than a baby's brain.-like" cells which could have led to the creation of neurons in other animals, including humans.

We often do not think about how amazing our brains are. But they took billions of years to make. Placozoans are thought to have formed around 800 million years ago, along with the first animals. 

It was when neurons started to appear that humans became possible. NeuronsNeurons, also known as nerve cells, are cells in the nervous system that use chemical or electrical signals to transmit information throughout the body.  mean we can take in lots and lots of information and work out what to do with it.

There we have it. A few hundred million years later, we start to learn about language, culture and art. And it could all come down to these tiny cells floating around the sea.

Yes! We have been trying to understand why we are so clever for years. Now, these tiny sea blobs could help us get one step closer to understanding ourselves.

No! Just because we know where the brain comes from does not mean we understand how it works. We still have a really long way to go.

Species - A set of animals or plants with similar features. Members of the same species can breed with each other.

Cell - Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. A cell is also a room with bars that prisoners are kept in.

Nervous systems - The very complex network of cells and neurons that carries messages to and from the brain.

Organs - Parts of the body that do a specific job, such as the heart or lungs.

Neuron - These are the cells found both in the brain and throughout the nervous system. While they are essential for memory, they do not themselves contain memories. Indeed, an adult brain contains around 41% fewer neurons than a baby's brain.

Neurons - Neurons, also known as nerve cells, are cells in the nervous system that use chemical or electrical signals to transmit information throughout the body.