Exam 2 Flashcards
(62 cards)
What is Instinct
Innate response, a behavior fully functional the first time it’s performed
Explain how the instinct theory explains fixed action behavior
Simple stimulus, sensory signals, innate releasing mechanism in nervous system, motor commands control a fixed action pattern
Fixed Action Pattern
Adaptive reaction to stimulus
Describe how animals exploit fixed action behaviors in other animals
Mouth markings within nestlings in estrildid finch allow different host parents to feed them.
Humans have exploited the earthworm’s escape behavior in order to collect them for fishing purposes (worm grunters)
Flyings moths: How is the message relayed to the brain/control center?
Receptors in ears relay info to Inter neurons in the thoracic ganglia
Flyings moths: How do neurons communicate with one another?
Two neurons (A1 and A2) move in response to sound pressure waves. At the synapse a chemical messenger is released to stimulate the next neuron.
Flying moths: What is the action of motor neurons?
Control wing muscles (wing flapping)
Flying Moths: When the bat is to one side of moth?
A1 receptor on side closer to the predator fires sooner
Flying Moths: When the bat is above the moth?
Activity in the A1 receptors fluctuates in synchrony with the moth’s wingbeats
Flying Moths: When the bat is directly behind the moth?
Both A1 receptors fire at the same rate/time
Flying Moths: Rate of firing (A1 receptors) is proportional to…
loudness of the sound
Discuss the advantages of sexual cannibalism on the praying mantis
More eggs are laid by females that eat their mates
Amino acids originating from male directly go to support his offspring
Discuss the Command Center Hypothesis
Nervous systems are organized to avoid maladaptive conflicts between competing stimuli via command centers in the brain
Command Center Hypothesis EXAMPLE
Noctuid moth can detect sex pheromones produced by females of its own species
On the way, he encounters a hunting bat, hearing ultrasonic pulses, he immediately aborts his efforts to pursue a mate
Stimulus Filtering and benefit
the ability of neurons and neural circuits to ignore some info in order to focus on biologically relevant elements within the diverse stimuli
Benefit: able to conserve energy
Stimulus Filtering EXAMPLE
Noctuid moths only detect ultrasound, ignoring sounds of low frequency, and do not distinguish between the two
Cortical Sensory Maps
brains evolved in response to selection pressure associated with the particular physical and social environment
Cortical Sensory Map EXAMPLE
Naked mole rats
Cortex dominated by teeth
Rely on touch to go through tunnels
Imprinting
developing the ability to learn
dependent on specialized brain features
Interaction between genes and environment
Konrad Lorenz and his Graylag Goslings developed what later in life? (Imprinting)
Adult males displayed a sexual preference for humans
Learning requires both…
genes and environment
How is learning crucial for survival in behavior?
Learning adaptive behaviors will increase fitness and survival. It is hard to progress without learning
Who had better pairing success with own species after being cross-fostered? Great tit or Blue tit
Blue tit
Learning and Memory: Hippocampus Hint: Black-capped chickadees
Black-capped Chickadees can remember where they stored food
Larger hippocampus means they can remember where there food is much better
Neurogenesis increases during caching season
