TED-ED: How do fish make electricity? - Eleanor Nelsen

The video explores the fascinating world of electric fish, which use electricity for communication, navigation, and hunting. It distinguishes between weakly and strongly electric fish, explaining how they generate electrical signals. Weakly electric fish use low voltage for sensing their environment, while strongly electric fish, like the electric eel, use high voltage to hunt prey. The video also touches on the mystery of why these fish don't electrocute themselves, a question that remains unanswered by science.

What is a common use of electricity among fish?

• To produce sound

• To communicate and navigate

• To change color

• To generate light

How do weakly electric fish generate electricity?

• By absorbing electricity from water

• With electric organs near their tails

• By using solar energy

• Through chemical reactions in their skin

What is the primary function of electroreceptors in weakly electric fish?

• To produce sound

• To regulate temperature

• To sense electrical fields

• To detect light

Which fish is known for its powerful electric discharge used in hunting?

• Electric eel

• Peter’s elephantnose fish

• Electric catfish

• Electric ray

What voltage can an electric eel produce during its attack?

• 100 volts

• 600 volts

• 350 volts

• 220 volts

Which strongly electric fish has kidney-shaped electric organs?

• Electric ray

• Electric catfish

• Peter’s elephantnose fish

• Electric eel

What is one hypothesis about why electric fish do not electrocute themselves?

• They have non-conductive skin

• They discharge electricity into the air

• They have no electric organs

• Their size allows them to withstand shocks