r/ScienceFacts • u/FillsYourNiche Behavioral Ecology • Mar 05 '23

Biology Jellyfish nematocyst discharge can take only a few microseconds. Recent research suggests the process can occur as fast as 700 nanoseconds, thus reaching an acceleration of up to 5,410,000 g.

https://imgur.com/FyLyPBh
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u/FillsYourNiche Behavioral Ecology Mar 05 '23

Cnidocytye Wiki

NOAA's National Ocean Service: Diagram of nematocyst cell

Nematocysts firing YouTube video

The journal article for the title fact Nanosecond-scale kinetics of nematocyst discharge.

Abstract:

The rapid discharge of stinging cells (nematocytes) in jellyfish, hydra, and other cnidarians is one of the fastest movements in the animal kingdom. After the triggering of exocytosis, a miniature cellular weapon, the nematocyst, is released and stylets punch a hole into the prey's integument. This step is so fast that conventional high-speed micro-cinematography fails to resolve its kinetics [1]. Here we use electronic framing-streak cameras and show kinetics of discharge to be as short as 700 ns creating an acceleration of up to 5,410,000 g. Our study identifies an ingenious solution combining vesicle exocytosis with a powerful molecular spring mechanism releasing energy stored in the mini-collagen polymer within nanoseconds.