ABSTRACT
From an evolutionary perspective it is clear that neurons are a specialized class of essential cells that evolved to support animal life in contrast to plant life. This traces the evolution of neurons back to the dawn of animals and long after O2-evolving plants had evolved. Nevertheless, gauging from their membrane lipids, neurons tend to be more plantlike in composition. That is, neurons of most animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and even a lowly worm such as C. elegans, are often highly enriched with DHA/EPA. However, there are important classes of animals such as insects and even atworm relatives of C. elegans that lack DHA/EPA altogether. This leads us to conclude that neuronal membranes are subject to Darwinian selection of the ttest membrane composition relevant to the neurosensory needs of different groups of animals. It is also concluded that DHA/EPA are not fundamental for neurosensory function across all animals.
