electroplaxes

Electroplax is a fictional organ found in certain species of fish, most notably electric eels and electric catfish. These specialized organs are responsible for generating and storing electrical energy. The electroplax itself is a modified muscle or nerve cell that has lost its ability to contract or transmit nerve impulses in the typical way. Instead, it acts as a biological battery.

Each electroplax is a flat, thin cell filled with a jelly-like substance called cytoplasm. These cells are arranged in columns, with thousands of electroplaxes stacked on top of each other. A membrane separates the interior of each electroplax from the outside. When the fish is stimulated, a signal from its nervous system causes ion channels to open in the membranes of the electroplaxes. This rapid influx and efflux of ions, primarily sodium and potassium, creates a voltage difference across each cell.

When many electroplaxes are activated simultaneously and in series, their individual voltages add up, resulting in a powerful electrical discharge. The strength and purpose of the discharge vary by species; it can be used for stunning prey, deterring predators, or for navigation and communication in murky waters. The precise physiological mechanisms controlling the rapid and synchronized firing of electroplaxes are complex and involve specialized proteins and ion pumps.