Vocal Communication Flashcards
Two parts to Vocal Communication and what are they/how are they important?
genetic factors (development of brain) environment (learning) -both are important for communication/language but people argue over which one is more important
Verbal Dyspraxia
clinical condition where there is an impaired ability to do the movements that are required to speak
The KE family (verbal dyspraxia)
This family tree showed that this disorder is caused by a mutation to the FOXP2 gene
Can we tell from the KE Family that the FOXP2 is the reason for this disorder?
No because there could be another gene and we are only looking at one family which isn’t a big enough sample group to represent the rest of the population
FOXP2 gene
-it is a transcription factor (controls the expression of other genes)
0 a mutation of this gene delays learning to speak
The FOXP2 gene in humans vs animals
the gene used to be seen as different but as researchers broadened their human sample size they realized the gene between humans and apes isn’t that different
Where is the FOXP2 gene expressed?
- in several species
- brain areas associated with vocal learning
how does the gene differ in humans and mice?
a mutation in a mouse impair its vocalization
What are mice vocalizations?
The are very high pitched and high frequnecy so you need to use special instruments to capture them
- genetically identical male mice have differences in vocalization
What can’t the KO FOXP2 mice do?
They can’t make vocalizations, and they can’t learn
In the FOXP2 gene test on mice, what are the HET mice?
Mice with one copy that has been deleted and the other copy is still there
- these mice still make vocalizations but not that much
Do mice need to learn how to speak?
No, they can be raised in complete solidarity and will still make noises
- evidence for learning vocalization is weak
sensitive period
- birds have this
- birds must be exposed to a song to develop naturally
What controls song production in birds
- a series of brain nuclei and their connections
- controlled in the syrinx
Process of learning a song (birds)
1) initial exposure to a tutor (hearing another bird sing the song)
2) successive approximation (just practice; has to hear itself practice)
3) crystallization into a permanent form (where it becomes permanent and they CANNOT learn new songs)
Why do the birds need to hear themselves sing in the second stage?
If they can’t hear themselves then they can’t make the adjustments they need to make the song normal
Posterior Pathway
Area HVC–> RA–> vocal muscles (syrinx)
- sending singals to the muscles to sing
- this pathway is important for learning AND production
In the Posterior Pathway, what happens if you get brain damage to RA or HVC AFTER the song is learned?
This prevents the birds from singing
-these are essential for learning and signing
Anterior Pathway
HVC LMAN
\ /
\ /
Area X
-both HVC and LMAN are sending projections to area X
-this pathway is important for SONG LEARNING
In the Anterior Pathway, what happens when LMAN or Area X are damaged AFTER song is learned?
The bird can still sing, once they know it, it isn’t necessary for these brain regions to be working anymore
Zebra finches and learning
-only have one song for life and learn it when they are young
Canaries and learning
canaries can have multiple songs; their sensorimotor and crystallization periods are the same but they have these extra “sensory” stages that allow the bird to move on to another song
- they can also make adjustments to the songs as adults
What increases in adult canaries during song learning (sensorimotor/practicing phase)?
The FOXP2 expression
When do zebra finches express the FOXP2 gene and where?
Zebra finches express the FOXP2 gene in area X during the practicing phase but not in adulthood
