Why is brain situated at a height greater than heart in all mammals? Are there any exceptions to this?

Answer 1

what about marine mammals - about same height.

what about bats - lower (when in sleeping position ;-)

anyway, why? on terrestrial mammals?

well basically, it makes sense to have senses located in a place in the body that optimises reception of the signals, and range.

The higher your eyes are, the further away you see - this is precious whether you're a predator, or a prey. So irrespective of the body shape, it is nice to have the eyes fairly high up.

For the ears the same holds true.

And same for the nose - though less clear cut.

Now the eyes are fairly complex, and require fairly complex wiring to send the signals to the brain. Complex wiring is expensive and fragile, so it is a better deal if it is short. So the brain needs to be close to the eyes. same for the ears. same for the nose.

so although your brain, high up, is potentially more exposed to any accidents, clearly this position has been selected by evolution, meaning that the benefits from a brain high up and close to sensory organs high up, outweigh the negatives, and that this set up is the most optimal.

Now for the heart, things are quite different. You've got big pipes connecting to it, so you need space around the heart. So it cannot be too close to the surface. And the more central it is, the more this will even the blood flow out. And the heart is very key, and has no reasons, unlike the brain, to be high up - so it is located in a protected area (ribs) and around the centre of the body.

Of course if you could make cheap wiring between sensory organs and the brain, then it would probably a better deal to have the brain also in a central, well protected position.

Answer 2

The largest nerve is the optic nerve and the largest part of the brain is devoted to sight which is necessary for survival and quick reflexes. Therefore, the brain usually is located near the eyes which must be elevated for the best view. Bats hang by their feet and their brains are not always above their hearts. Just my own insight.

Answer 3

hmmm itz jus a logic...heart is being situated to the centre of the body coz...itz supply of blood to all body parts shud be sustained...n brain being placed above...coz itz also forms one of the sense organ....n during cephalization...head is formed 1st n so the brain..hence placed top most!!! datz all

ya one morething is...itz not jus seen in mammals but also...in the lower class of animals

Answer 4

It is up there to be close to the eyes, so you can see more stuff. Some peoples brain is in their bum and they don't have a clue.