Now do this put-the-text-back-together activity.
This is the text (if you need help).
Zoologists in Germany have uncovered a previously unknown sensory faculty in elephants. It explains why the giant beasts' trunks are so dexterous. The scientists found that the whiskers at the tip of the trunk are sensitive enough to detect the smallest, most delicate objects. The scientists are from the Haptic Intelligence Department at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems. They say the incredible sensitivity of the whiskers compensates for the elephant's poor eyesight. The whiskers are essential for navigating, locating food, and social communication. The researchers say the whiskers are "smart" and give the elephant an added sense of intelligence.
Scientists believe the insights from their research will assist in advancing robotics and neuroscience. Study co-author Dr Andrew Schulz said: "Each whisker on elephants' trunks acts as a tactile sensory organ." This allows an elephant to pick up something as delicate as a potato chip without breaking it. The research could help increase dexterity in robots. Dr Lena Kaufmann is excited about how the research could advance neuroscience. She said her findings "contribute to our understanding of the tactile perception of these fascinating animals". She says the study will increase our understanding of "neuronal computation" — how the brain's neurons process information to think, feel, and act.
- What field of science are the scientists who uncovered something?
- What part of an elephant's trunk can detect the smallest of objects?
- What does the sensitivity of an elephant's whiskers compensate for?
- What do the elephant's whiskers help it to find?
- What do the whiskers give an elephant an added sense of?
- What might insights from the research help to advance?
- What is an elephant able to pick up without breaking?
- How does Dr Lena Kaufmann feel about the research?
- What does Dr Lena Kaufmann think of elephants?
- What does the brain process via neuronal computation?
Back to the elephant whiskers lesson.
