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Say a sophiscated scientist in the 19th century noted that applying soy sauce on a dead octopus leads to movement of the legs, as a result of the voltage differences resulting from the salt in the soy sauce. (For example, see this video)

Is there a way for that scientist to prove, using only the methodologies available at that time, that the decapitated octopus doesn't regain the functions that a octopus brain normally has, for even a few seconds, when the soy sauce is applied?

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  • $\begingroup$ I'm not sure what you mean by delude by medicine. If you can clarify that, don't hesitate to add it back in, but I don't think it was adding anything to the meaning. Also, this has nothing to do with bioinformatics. $\endgroup$
    – jonsca
    Aug 9, 2012 at 23:37
  • $\begingroup$ Unsure if this is suited for this site. It's really a history question. $\endgroup$
    – LanceLafontaine
    Aug 10, 2012 at 0:00
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    $\begingroup$ @LanceLafontaine - Nope, this question is really about how could a scientist use less advanced techlogy to conduct a experiment to develop advanced result $\endgroup$
    – user5479
    Aug 10, 2012 at 0:04
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    $\begingroup$ Although a proper theory of action potentials was not developed until the beginning of the 20th century, Galvani's experiments date back to the 18th century... $\endgroup$
    – nico
    Aug 10, 2012 at 5:42
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    $\begingroup$ @Victor: Galvani's experiments were done on frog legs, I don't think the heart was present. $\endgroup$
    – nico
    Aug 13, 2012 at 22:38

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Yes. The scientist could cut a small piece of the octopus's tentacle and perform the experiment again. If the same result is observed, no other organs are involved.

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