Measuring Unconditioned Behaviour of Nonhumans

Question 0

Stereotyped Behaviour??

Answer 0

the continuous repetition of simple, purposeless acts such as rearing or head bobbing. Other drugs may cause sleep or convulsions.

Question 1

Spontaneous Motor Activity (SMA) ?

Answer 1

The animal is placed in an open field (open box) and its movements are measured either electronically or by drawing a grid on the floor of the open field and counting the number of times the animal crosses a line.

Question 2

Inclined Plane Test (for muscle tone)

Answer 2

animal is placed on a board that can be tilted to various degrees. The degree of tilt at which the animal is unable to hold on to the surface and slides of is a measure of muscle tone.

Question 3

Elevated Plus Maze (anxiety tests)

Answer 3

narrow boards in the shape of a plus raised a foot or more off the ground. Two opposite arms of the plus have walls, and the other two not. Normally animals stick to the protected arms but on drugs they venture to the unprotected sides.

Question 4

Paw-lick latency test (analgesia test)

Answer 4

Rats are placed on a metal surface that is heated to ~50 degrees celsius. They initially do not react but in a few seconds they raise one hind paw to their mouth. The length of time it takes for this to happen is called the paw-lick latency. (analgesia drugs slow down this time) Even if the rat does not show this response it is removed after a fixed number of seconds to prevent burns.

Question 5

Morris Water Maze

Answer 5

memory test

transgenic mouse has a more difficult time remembering where the platform is than a normal mouse.