Turtles and mammals are linked in more ways than one. Dr. Alice Powers’ presentation on turtles is a study on how to understand the world. Through adult neurogenesis on turtles, scientists have discovered that cell regeneration is caused by either brain injury or through an enriched environment. 

Mammals and turtles are linked by the close stem that gave rise to both mammals and reptiles. They are thus closely related to the ancestors of mammals. Turtles have been around for millions of years, they have existed before mammals, and even during the same time as dinosaurs. As a result, they were the first reptiles. 

Dr. Powers has conducted tests on painted turtles to see how closely related they are to humans. They can see colors, patterns, and form similar to humans, however, their sense of smell and hearing is weak. Turtles also lack the neocortex, which is what covers the entire outside of the brain in mammals. She has discovered that without the neocortex their brains are still protected and that they share similar cells to mammals as well. Their positioning is in rows rather than embedded inside like human brain cells. 

Turtles and mammals also share holes in their brains, however, the left and right side of a turtle’s brain doesn’t connect like a mammal’s brain. They also share the similarities of a hippocampus. Turtles can be trained to push certain buttons to receive food. Quickly and without human interference, when turtles were placed in a box they learned that depending on the shape or color of a button, they would be rewarded with food from the adjacent hole. This is remarkable because it shows how turtles are similar to mammals.

Hopefully, with the study of adult neurogenesis in turtles and cell growth, we can find a treatment for diseases in the brain like Parkinson’s or Alzheimers where cells are lost.