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29 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
What do we need to remember when we study behavior?
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function
phylogeny immediate causality ontogeny |
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Variation in Behavior is...?
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differences in the way that a behavior is expressed from one time to the next by a given individual
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intra-individual behavior
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how many dimensions for a given behavior
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Stimulus threshold
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the amount of stimulus used to cause a change in behavior
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what things can change at the individual level?
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Internal: aging, hunger, parasitism circadian timers, energy reserves, and reproductive status
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experimental studies
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reductionist approach - isolating certain variables - the best for cause and effect
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correlative studies
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the holistic approach - observing a key parameter and one or more variables.
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How can differences in behavior occur at the single gene level?
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- enzymes not functioning properly due to spatial abnormalities
- a receptor for a hormone or neurotransmitter has a different binding affinity because of some small biochemical change |
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Explain transduction through a receptor (external)
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When a receptor picks up a stimulus, the nerve membrane is flooded with Na + ions b/c the membrane's permeability changes once stimulated. nerve membrane becomes positively charged.
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2 types of receptor systems
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broad-band
label lines- which are receptors devoted to single type of stimulus |
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What is communication?
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imparting or transmitting information - requires a sender and a receiver
- production of a signal that alters or elicits the response patterns of another individual. - transmitted info is the most proximate cause of behavior |
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Benefits of signals
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reduction of the uncertainty in an environment
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Deliberate signaling
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when a behavior produces info for which the function is communication
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non-intentional signaling
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when the presence of an animal leaves detectable traces in the enviro.
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types of information
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mechanical
electrical thermal visual chemical |
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Stereotyped behavior
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instinct; innate, don't need fine tuning
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Heritability
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measure of behavior we seen in variation more strongly genetic
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Transduction
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change in energy from mechanical stimulus to electrical energy
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sufficient depolarization
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big enough change (to cause change in electrochemical gradient.
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Supernormal stimulus
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increases intensity of response
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Honest Signal
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A signal warning predators of an animals abilities or strength (eg. gazelle and stotting and sky lark bird with loud singing)
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Deceptive Signal
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a signal deceiving potential predators. Eg. Ringed plover faking a broken wing to conceal her eggs.
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Androsteinedione
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testosterone precursor which makes spotted hyena cubs especially agressive
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Fitness
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# of offspring produced over lifetime
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maladaptive
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offspring cannot reproduce
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Evolution
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the change in frequency in the variation over time. If conditions change, a different trait will thrive.
-only populations evolve |
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Problems faced by all animals:
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parasites, locomotion, weather, predators, sex and offspring, food
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What can animals do to solve these problems
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physiology, anatomy and behavior
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What are the causes of behavior?
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Proximate: Inherited behavior through parents and sensory motor mechanisms
(the blueprint and the machine) ultimate:developed a trait over time (evolved from ancestors) and selective processes shaping the trait over time (the origin and the process) |