Statocyst

Statozysten (Greek στάτος statos, standing ' and κύστιν kystin, bubble ') are balance organs in invertebrates, consisting of a fluid-filled bladder, in which one or more statoliths ( a lime or sand grain ) lie. For movements of statolith comes to the sensory hairs of the shell and irritates them. The appeal will be forwarded to the nervous system and is used for spatial orientation.

Many invertebrates have Statozysten, such as insects, crustaceans or jelly fish. When jellyfish they sit at the edges, while they are often located in crustaceans at the bottom of the sensor.

In experiments it has been possible to replace the statoliths against metal shavings and to move through magnetic fields up. Then the crabs were swimming upside down.

In plant roots, specifically the root cap, whereas Statocyten are for the gravitropism of plant matter.