Connectomics is a new field of research that aims to map the synapses of the nervous system in order to construct a wiring diagram of all the neural circuits. It is necessary to use the electron microscope to visualize synapses, so at present the connectomes of most animal species cannot be determined. Currently, the only known connectome is that of the tiny nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans is an excellent model for understanding how the nervous system controls behavior. The wiring diagram of the C. elegans nervous system represents a neural network. Many of the features of this network help us understand how animal nervous systems function.

Learning objectives:
1. Connectomics is a new field of study that aims to identify the circuits of the nervous system.
2. The connectome of the nematode worm C. elegans, which is the only currently known complete wiring diagram of an animal nervous system, is a neural network with features that help explain its function.