Week 7 - Oct. 14th
Neuroethology- continued
If you've forgotten how a neuron works, how an action potential
travels, or how neurotransmitters are released, you should review that
chapter in an introductory biology text.
One area of ethology is "neuroethology". This field focuses
on how behavior is generated by an animal's nervous system. Neuroethology
differs from neurobiology slightly because it approaches the questions
from an evolutionary angle as well as the mechanistic questions. This
isn't to say that neurobiolgoists don't consider evolution but it is
not always central to their research. Furthermore, a neuroethologist
(like an ethologist) is concerned with the animal in its natural environment.
We will look at a few different examples of natural adaptive behaviors
from diverse organisms to understand how their nervous systems have evolved.
READ:
Essential Animal Behavior chapter 2
Roeder, K.D. and Treat,
A.E. (1961) The detection and evasion of bats
by moths. American Scientist 49:135-148.
Nishikawa, K.C. (2002) Evolutinary
Convergence in Nervous Systems: Insights from Comparative Phylogenetic
Studies. Brain Behav Evol 59:240-249.
(warning: this one may open only in acrobat)
Anyone with a strong interest in Neuroscience might also be interested to read.
Rose (2004) Insights into
Neural Mechanisms and Evolution of Behavior From Electric Fish. Nature
Reviews Neuroscience 5:943-951.
After a Break
Scientific Process:
This is the first of a two part discussion on the ethical use of animals
in research.
Barnard, C. (2007) Ethical
regulation of animal science: why animal behaviour is special. Animal
Behaviour 74:15-22.
Week 7 - Oct 16th
Guest Seminar Nate Sawtell
Nate will give a "hard core" neuroscience lecture. Be
prepared to stop him and ask questions. He will be presenting current
research regarding neural function using as a model organism one of the
electric fish that you will be working with in lab this week.
READ:
TBA check back closer to the date
If Nate finishes early.... otherwise for thursday
Scientific Process:
This is the second of a two part discussion on the ethical use of animals
in research.
Cuthill, I.C. (2007) Ethical
regulation of animal science: why animal behaviour is not so special.
Animal Behaviour 74:15-22.
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