The Nerve of a Cockroach

Dr Erica McAlister unravels the mystery behind the nervous system of the cockroach.

It appears to be anatomically hard-wired, yet has an extraordinary flexibility that enables it to adopt new behaviour in matter of minutes or hours.

This would lead to proof of the controversial idea that nerves and hormones form an intimate and influential relationship with each other, and the birth of the field of neuroendocrinology.

Series looking at some of the entomological pioneers, whose groundbreaking observations and experiments have led to some truly innovative developments.

With contributions from:

* Historian and zoologist, Professor Matthew Cobb (University of Manchester)
* Professor Stephen Simpson (Director Charles Perkin Centre Sydney)
* Neurobiologist, George Stefano.

Producer: Adrian Washbourne

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2022.