Neuroscience 2000 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 21.82 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Social exposure alters behavioral responses to elevated neurotransmitter levels in crayfish: an investigation for undergraduates. |
| Authors: |
Conley, R. A.*1
1Biol Dept, Bradley Univ, Peoria, IL |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
K. Other - 150. Teaching of neuroscience |
| Session: |
21. Teaching of neuroscience Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Sunday, November 5, 2000 9:00 AM-10:00 AM |
| Location: | Hall G-J |
| Keywords: | Teaching of Neuroscience |
Crayfish establish dominance through aggressive encounters and display dominance and submissiveness through posturing. The neural circuitry involved in posturing utilizes the neurotransmitters seratonin and octopamine (Livingstone et. al 1980, Kravitz 1988, Huber et. Al. 1997). The neurophysiological effect of these neurotransmitters can be either excitatory or inhibitory depending on the social status of the individual (Yen et. al. 1996, 1997). In this series of experiments, students design behavioral scenarios to test their predictions using variables such as size, sex, resident/intruder status, and prior social experience. Using knowledge of neurotransmitter actions in the tail-flip escape response, students generate hypotheses concerning neurotransmitter levels and behavioral manifestations in dominant and subordinate crayfish. Previously, (Conley, 1999; SFN abs#104.24), students investigating the effects of elevated octopamine on dominant and submissive behaviors find that octopamine injection causes dominant individuals to display more submissiveness & submissive individuals to display more dominance. In this investigation, students discover that octopaime affects social isolates differently than those with social experience. One week of isolation causes dominant individuals to display more dominance and submissive individuals to display more submissiveness. Students can compare results with physiological and behavioral findings reported in the scientific literature for crayfish, lobsters, monkeys, and humans. Using this investigative approach, students can learn nerve and muscle physiology, neural circuitry and the control of neural responses, neuropharmacology, neuroanatomy, neuroethology, and physiological psychology and evolutionary biology.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2000 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2000. Online.
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