Are You Smarter Than a Fly? Scientists Say Maybe Not.
Did you ever wonder why flies are so hard to swat? Scientists think they have the answer: brainpower. While humans tend to think of insects like flies as small, unintelligent creatures, a fly’s brain is capable of seeing and feeling danger. That brain may be no larger than a single poppy seed, but the fly is a far more sophisticated creature than you might have thought.
To understand how a fly thinks, scientists used super-slow-motion video cameras to watch a fly react when attacked. These high-speed cameras, capable of photographing mere fractions of a second, revealed that a fly performs a nimble tap dance, moving its legs and body to push away from the oncoming threat. This routine, accomplished in less than a tenth of a second, gives a fly a critical edge over the human swatter. In an instant, a fly’s tiny brain can calculate the location of the flyswatter, come up with an escape plan, and hop out of the way in the opposite direction. The single second it takes a human to swat is more than enough time for the average fly to think, act, and dodge the attack.
Studies by scientists have found a fly’s brain can process information faster than nearly any living creature. In addition, flies are more than just fast thinkers. They always plan and organize their movements and prepare escape routes in case of danger. For example, if a swatter is swooping down in front of a fly, the fly knows to move its middle legs forward and lean back, allowing it to raise and extend its legs and push off backward. What is the result? The fly sneaks out from under the swatter and gets away. Once in the air, the fly changes its flying style and speed to continue to evade a threat. When it lands again, it makes a whole new set of plans for future flights.
Scientists believe this new understanding about fly thinking and behavior may also provide a better method for squashing the pesky insect. Patience is important: would-be swatters should not aim for a fly’s present location. Instead, knowing now that the fly will jump away from you, aim slightly in front of it so the swatter captures the fly as it is fleeing, not where it was. A little human planning and preparation, researchers say, can outwit a fly’s natural instincts. The process does not work for all insects, however, especially not bees.
But why, some scientists now wonder, would anyone want to squash such a magnificent creature? The scientists hope their new findings will inspire humans to think about and appreciate the Earth’s tiniest creatures.
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
Read the last sentence of paragraph 2 and the first sentence of paragraph 3.
The single second it takes a human to swat is more than enough time for the average fly to think, act, and dodge the attack.
____________, studies by scientists have found a fly’s brain can process information faster than nearly any living creature.
Which transitional phrase would most appropriately connect the paragraphs?
(1 point)
Responses
In fact,
In fact,
On one hand,
On one hand,
For example,
For example,
For this reason,