Monday, April 21, 2008

Answer to Anonymous' Question II [Eels]

On Saturday, 10.43 PM, Anonymous asked:

DEAR MISS.HIDAYAH,

IF AN EEL CAN ELETRICUTE SOMETHING THAT TOUCHES IT,WHY DOESN'T IT GET ELETRICUTED ITSELF?

Dear Anonymous, try to refrain from using all capital letters next time. This is because it is the same as shouting. Shouting isn't polite.

Firstly, not all eels are electric eels. Electric eels have long, square bodies with flat heads.

American Eel:


Electric Eel:


From what I know about electric eels, they have three organs which produce electricity. It only electrocutes other fish or humans if it is threatened or surprised. They use lower voltage for hunting and higher voltage for defending themselves. Their electricity kind of works like our muscles. When we are surprised by something, our muscles tense. When the electric eel's Sach's organ tenses, it produces an electric shock.

Now, for your question. It is still unclear why electric eels don't electrocute themselves even though water is a good conductor of electricity. Some scientists have said that electric eels have insulating skin tissue to protect them. Electric insulation means, electricity cannot pass through. There are reports of electric eels getting shocked if their skin is broken (wounded).

This is not proven yet, though. As far, there are only theories to this question. I will tell you when I read of any studies with regards to this.

I hope this satisfies your curiosity.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Miss Hidayah,

Which part of the allamanda is poisonous? Is it poisonous only when consumed or is it poisonous when touched? Can you also post a picture of yourself do I can show my mum how you look like?

Gabe

Miss H said...

Hi Gabe,

All parts of they yellow allamanda are poisonous. I learned this from primary four science. It is only poisonous if you eat a lot of it. You can get fever, diarrhea, swollen lips and nausea (feeling like you want to vomit).

The only part which is poisonous to the skin is the sap. If you touch the sap you will get skin irritation.

I hope this helps.

As for a picture of me... I will post if I see an opportunity to post. If not, I won't post my picture so suddenly on the public blog as people might say, "Oh my God, Miss Hidayah is so vain, putting up her picture for no reason..."

:D

Anyway, I will see your mum on parent meeting session after the exams anyway, right? :)