1) Explain how the Lin et al. used the catFISH technique to determine which neurons are involved in particular behaviors (3 pts)
Lin et al. used catFISH (cellular compartment analysis of temporal activity by fluorescent in situ hybridization) to compare the activation of c-fos expression during two successive episodes of behavior (either the same behavior or different) in the same animal. Through experimentation, researchers discovered that animals killed five minutes after fighting expressed only nuclear c-fos transcripts, while animals killed 35 minutes after fighting solely expressed cytoplasmic c-fos transcripts. Furthermore, after two consecutive behavioral episodes (of the same behavior), separated by 30 minutes, researchers discovered …show more content…
found it easier to optogenetically induce attacking behavior toward males compared to females or a glove because of the increased VMHv1 Esr1+ neuron activity elicited by a male's presence. The Kennedy et al. review paper suggested that behavioral progression during male-male and female-male aggression/mounting encounters is scalable and controlled in a threshold-dependent manner, with the VMHv1 Esr1+ neurons becoming most active during an initial encounter (social investigation). Male-male encounters increase social investigation leading to greater VMHv1 Esr1+ activity —effectively activating high-threshold neurons and eliciting an attack response. While female-male encounters require minimal social investigation, after female pheromone detection, resulting in a reduction of VMHv1 Esr1+ activity and activation of low-threshold neurons --promoting a default mounting response. Therefore, it is easier to induce attacking behavior toward a male because of the animal’s natural behavior to extensively investigate the presence of a male —which effectively activates high-threshold neurons that mediate attacking behavior. Whereas with a female or a glove, Lin et al. would need to overcome the animal’s natural response in order to promote further activation of the VMHv1 Esr1+ neurons to activate the high-threshold neurons needed to generate an aggressive
Lin et al. used catFISH (cellular compartment analysis of temporal activity by fluorescent in situ hybridization) to compare the activation of c-fos expression during two successive episodes of behavior (either the same behavior or different) in the same animal. Through experimentation, researchers discovered that animals killed five minutes after fighting expressed only nuclear c-fos transcripts, while animals killed 35 minutes after fighting solely expressed cytoplasmic c-fos transcripts. Furthermore, after two consecutive behavioral episodes (of the same behavior), separated by 30 minutes, researchers discovered …show more content…
found it easier to optogenetically induce attacking behavior toward males compared to females or a glove because of the increased VMHv1 Esr1+ neuron activity elicited by a male's presence. The Kennedy et al. review paper suggested that behavioral progression during male-male and female-male aggression/mounting encounters is scalable and controlled in a threshold-dependent manner, with the VMHv1 Esr1+ neurons becoming most active during an initial encounter (social investigation). Male-male encounters increase social investigation leading to greater VMHv1 Esr1+ activity —effectively activating high-threshold neurons and eliciting an attack response. While female-male encounters require minimal social investigation, after female pheromone detection, resulting in a reduction of VMHv1 Esr1+ activity and activation of low-threshold neurons --promoting a default mounting response. Therefore, it is easier to induce attacking behavior toward a male because of the animal’s natural behavior to extensively investigate the presence of a male —which effectively activates high-threshold neurons that mediate attacking behavior. Whereas with a female or a glove, Lin et al. would need to overcome the animal’s natural response in order to promote further activation of the VMHv1 Esr1+ neurons to activate the high-threshold neurons needed to generate an aggressive