The Sea Slug Aplysia

Aplysia, commonly known as the sea slug, is a large marine mollusk characterized by its soft, elongated body and distinctive coloration. Despite its simple appearance, Aplysia is a valuable model in neuroscience research because it has a relatively simple nervous system with large, identifiable neurons. This makes it easier to study how nerves control behavior and learn processes like memory. Additionally, Aplysia feeds on algae and moves slowly along the ocean floor. Its simplicity and accessibility have provided key insights into the biological basis of learning and neural function in more complex animals, including humans.