If you are here you are probably wondering: How many hearts does an octopus have? short answer: Three hearts. You might be wondering how is that even possible and why, in this blog post we explain all about it.
When it comes to the octopus, there’s more than meets the eye – or in this case, the tentacle. Beyond its interesting appearance and insane intelligence lies a biological wonder: three hearts. But what’s the practical significance of this anatomical quirk, and how does it impact the life of this species? Let’s dive in (ba dum tss).
Jump links
- How Many Hearts Does an Octopus Have: The Details
- Why do Octopuses Have Three Hearts?
- 10 Facts About Octopus Hearts
Within marine biology, few creatures provoke as much fascination and interest as the octopus. These cephalopods, stand as both subjects of normal human curiosity and professional scientific intrigue.
Despite their seemingly alien features, octopuses are finely tuned to their marine environment. Showcasing keen senses, complex behaviors, and unparalleled problem-solving abilities. Their capacity to change color and texture for camouflage, coupled with their adeptness at navigating difficult underwater landscapes, speaks to their evolutionary experience.
One aspect of octopus physiology remains intriguing: their cardiovascular system. This anatomically different system gives insight into their unique physiological adaptations to life beneath the water.
More like this
- Otters Holding Hands: it doesn’t mean what you think
- What Monkey is Curious George?
- Everything About the Pacman Frog: the Videogame Lookalike
How Many Hearts Does an Octopus Have: The Details
Figure from Wells, M. J. (1978). Octopus: Physiology and Behaviour of an Advanced Invertebrate. Chapman & Hall. p.42
Octopuses possess not one, not two, but three hearts. Two of these hearts, known as branchial hearts, handle the task of pumping blood to the gills. Here, oxygen is absorbed from the surrounding water, providing the octopus with the fuel it needs to keep moving. Once oxygenated, the blood is shuttled to the third heart, the systemic heart, which distributes it throughout the body, ensuring every cell gets its share.
Why Do Octopuses Have Three Hearts?
The presence of three hearts in octopuses is not merely a quirk of evolution. It’s a strategic adaptation to their environment and physiology. Octopuses have blue blood, thanks to a copper-based protein called hemocyanin, which is less efficient at transporting oxygen compared to the iron-rich hemoglobin found in vertebrates. To compensate for this inefficiency, octopuses have evolved three hearts. Two branchial hearts pump blood to the gills for oxygenation, while the third, central heart distributes oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. This elaborate cardiovascular system ensures that octopuses can thrive in environments with high oxygen levels and high metabolic demands.
The three-heart system in octopuses allows them to maintain an active lifestyle and support their extensive nervous system. This adaptation is crucial for octopuses, which rely on quick movements and sharp senses to navigate their environment and hunt for prey.
10 Facts About Octopus Hearts
As we know, octopuses have three hearts, but that isn’t the only fascinating thing about their cardiovascular system. Below we give you 10 interesting facts about octopus hearts that you won’t find on any other page.
These facts are constructed from the information found in the book Octopus: Physiology and Behaviour of an Advanced Invertebrate by M. J. Wells.
1. Adaptive Responses to Stress
In response to environmental stressors, such as oxygen deprivation or confined spaces, octopus hearts demonstrate a remarkable ability to modulate stroke volume rather than altering frequency. Which optimizes blood flow to sustain vital functions.
2. Oxygen Sensitivity
Octopus heartbeats serve as sensitive indicators of oxygen availability, slowing dramatically in oxygen-deprived conditions. Showcasing the critical importance of oxygen in cephalopod physiology.
3. Nervous Regulation
Octopuses’s heartbeats involve a complex interplay of neural signals. With branches from visceral nerves exerting regulatory control over cardiac activity. These nerves receive input from various physiological systems within the octopus’s body, including sensory feedback from the heart itself and other organs like the gills. This integration of sensory information allows for precise adjustments in heart rate and rhythm in response to changes in oxygen levels, carbon dioxide concentrations, or other metabolic factors. Through this neural network, the octopus’s cardiovascular system remains finely tuned to meet the demands of its marine environment. Ensuring efficient circulation and oxygen delivery throughout their body.
Figure from Wells, M. J. (1978). Octopus: Physiology and Behaviour of an Advanced Invertebrate. Chapman & Hall. p.41
4. Carbon Dioxide Transport
Octopus blood exhibits a high efficiency in removing carbon dioxide, mirroring the capability observed in crustacean blood. This characteristic is fundamental for maintaining acid-base equilibrium and facilitating gas exchange within their marine ecosystem. By efficiently eliminating carbon dioxide, octopus blood ensures that metabolic processes remain balanced and that adequate oxygen levels are maintained, thereby supporting the organism’s physiological functions in its habitat.
5. Hemocyanin Composition
Octopus blood relies on the protein hemocyanin for efficient oxygen transport, with its ability to bind oxygen rapidly and facilitate gas exchange crucial for sustaining life in the marine environment.
6. Synthesis in Branchial Glands
Hemocyanin synthesis occurs predominantly in the branchial glands, located beneath the gills in octopuses. These glands contain cells filled with organized structures called endoplasmic reticulum, along with vacuoles. Within these cells, hemocyanin particles are abundant, which is what indicates that the branchial glands are where hemocyanin is made. This process ensures a steady supply this vital oxygen carrier in octopuses’ bodies.
If the branchial glands are removed surgically,
Wells, M. J. (1978). Octopus: Physiology and Behaviour of an Advanced Invertebrate. Chapman & Hall. p.49
or destroyed by freezing, no labelled haemocyanin is made, and the
animals die within a few days.
7. Bohr Effect
Octopus hemocyanin exhibits a marked Bohr effect. Enhancing oxygen release in tissues with decreased pH. This is a physiological adaptation essential for meeting metabolic demands during periods of heightened activity.
8. Terminal Respiration
During terminal respiration, octopus cells undergo a transition in oxygen uptake mechanisms, shifting from copper-based to iron-based pigments. This transition is facilitated by molecules known as cytochromes and flavins, crucial for cellular respiration. Studies have shown that these molecules in octopus tissues bear striking similarities to those found in mammalian tissues.
Terminal respiration refers to the final stage of the respiratory process within cells, where oxygen is utilized for energy production through a series of biochemical reactions. In this phase, oxygen serves as the terminal electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, ultimately leading to the generation of ATP, the cell’s primary energy currency. Terminal respiration typically occurs in specialized cellular structures called mitochondria, where enzymes such as cytochromes and flavins play crucial roles in facilitating the transfer of electrons and the production of ATP. This process is essential for powering various cellular activities and maintaining the overall metabolic functions of the organism.
9. Phagocytic Blood Cells
Octopus blood contains amoebocytes, which aid in phagocytosis and blood clotting, contributing to wound healing and immune responses, essential for maintaining health and vitality.
10. Environmental adaptation
The rare cardiovascular system of octopuses showcases their adaptation to the oceanic environment. Highlighting their vulnerability to environmental changes, such as rising ocean temperatures and increasing acidity levels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the three hearts of the octopus are not just a biological curiosity; they are a testament to the incredible adaptations that enable octopuses to thrive in the depths of the ocean.
We hope that understanding the intricacies of octopus physiology deepens your appreciation for this incredible species. We also hope that this appreciation makes you think twice the next time someone offers you to eat such intelligent and complex creatures.
More like this