How do electric eels generate such strong shocks?
Quick Answer
Electric eels produce electricity with specialized cells called electrocytes stacked like batteries. A large eel can emit shocks of up to about 600 volts.
The Full Story
Electric eels do not produce electricity with organs like a power plant; instead, they use thousands of modified muscle cells called electrocytes. These cells are arranged in series, so their tiny voltages add together much like batteries in a flashlight. The strongest species, Electrophorus electricus and related species, can deliver high-voltage discharges of around 600 volts, though current is relatively low. They use weaker pulses to sense their surroundings and stronger bursts to stun prey or deter predators. The fish is actually a knifefish, not a true eel.
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