The knowledge of bacteria that can synthesize magnetite (a natural magnet which consists of an iron oxide) is not recent. It was not discovered in bacteria the usefulness of having these magnets in their interior, but today we know that there are cells of animals that also synthesize the magnetic for well-defined purposes.

 

Thus, in pigeons and migratory birds, cells containing magnetite have been found to send information to the brains of these animals about the position of the earth's poles, functioning as compasses.

 

Animals can then orient themselves easily in their migratory movements. The small protrusion that we see in the nozzles of the “mail pigeons” is one of those magnetic guidance organs which helps the bird to orient itself and return to the desired place.

 

In humans, these cells were found along the brain with connections that we do not know the purpose. Many believe that prehistoric man, who had migratory customs, used this sixth sense to orient itself.

 

By becoming sedentary, the sense of guidance was no longer needed and it lost the ability to use it. Yes, we have a GPS built into our brains. It remains the doubt if we can recover the ability to use it…

 

 

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