"People have said that the difference between plant and animals is our ease of movement," Jessell said. To understand the nervous system, scientists will have to study each and every one and figure out its function. Until we actually understand how movement and balance work, it's hard to say what physical characteristics might make one nervous system "better" than another. As the Summer Olympics begin, all eyes will be on Simone Biles. In fact, scientists are only just starting to understand the brain-body communication that goes into even the most basic movements.

Source: Washington Post July 28, 2016 18:33 UTC