How do octopus arms react when they are severed from the body?

How do octopus arms react when they are severed from the body?

• A. They become inactive and limp
• B. They continue to respond to external stimuli
• C. They slowly disintegrate
• D. They attempt to find a way back to the body

Answer: (B)

When an octopus's arm is severed from its body, it retains a remarkable level of responsiveness. The nerve cells within the arm are capable of continuing to process information and respond to stimuli even after being detached. This phenomenon is due to the decentralized nature of the octopus's nervous system, which allows the arms to operate semi-independently. As a result, the severed arm can react to touch or other sensory input, showcasing an impressive level of autonomy. This ability may serve several purposes, including aiding the octopus in evading predators even after losing a limb, as the arm can continue to thrash or move to distract a threat, allowing time for the octopus to escape.

When an octopus's arm is severed from its body, it retains a remarkable level of responsiveness. The nerve cells within the arm are capable of continuing to process information and respond to stimuli even after being detached. This phenomenon is due to the decentralized nature of the octopus's nervous system, which allows the arms to operate semi-independently. As a result, the severed arm can react to touch or other sensory input, showcasing an impressive level of autonomy.

This ability may serve several purposes, including aiding the octopus in evading predators even after losing a limb, as the arm can continue to thrash or move to distract a threat, allowing time for the octopus to escape.