Topic 8B - Habituation

Question 1

What is habituation?(3)

Answer 1

– A type of learnt behaviour

– Allows animals to differentiate between important and unimportant stimuli

– Thus increasing the chances of survival

Question 2

What’s the purpose of habituation?(2)

Answer 2

– Reduced response unimportant stimuli after repeated exposure

– This means animals don’t waste time and energy responding to unimportant stimuli

Question 3

Devise an experiment in which you can investigate habituation(4)

Answer 3

– Use snails

– Gently poke snail tentacles, it should withdraw

• Using stopwatch time how long it takes for snail to fully extend tentacles
• Repeat process at regular intervals and record time

Question 4

How do you know that habituation has taken place in snail experiment?

Answer 4

Snail should re extend tentacles quicker the more you repeat stimulus