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6
revealed the same startling conclusion.
In mammals the
neuro11
is the basic
component of each nervous system.
Each neuron of the mammals under
investigation could be divided into
the same three basic sections. All mam–
malian neurons were seemingly identical
to the human neuron in every conceiv–
able respect.
The dendrites were of special signifi–
cance. These branching matrices of
neuronal antennae were of critica!
importance for comparing mammals.
The basic rule for making such a com–
parison was as follows: The larger the
number of dendritic branches, the
greater the number of interconnections
and pathways associating the billions of
neurons- and consequently, as a direct
result, the greater the complexity of
mental options available to the particu–
lar brain.
Man's
dendritic branches were the
most complex - though
ciosely
fol–
lowed by chimp and dolphin. The same
relative positions among man, chimp
and dolphin resulted when the multitu–
dinous "dendritic
spines"
\vere coro–
pared.
Comparative
biochemicai
studies
yielded precisely the same results - all
seven mammals were qualitatively iden–
tical. The critica! space between neurons
- the synapse - was traversed by the
same basic chemical messenger. The
nerve impulse was always generated by
the same Aow of sodium, potassium and
chloride ions. Hallucinogenic drugs
worked by tbe same mechanism -
inhibiting, short-circuiting, etc. - on
all mammalian nerve fibers. The im–
mensely complicated hormonal systems
were always controlled by the pituitary
gland, which was controlled by the
brain. Biochemically, al! creatures were
identical.
A Complication
At this point in tbe investigation a
preliminary report was received from an
nth dimensional physiologist spy plant–
ed in tbe psychology department.
Apparently, tbe creature "man" was
manifesting surprising mental capabil–
ities. But man didn't have tbe largest
braio! Neither did he have any unique
anatomical structure nor any strange
( Contin11ed
011
page 36)
CELLBODY
·/