The Cap Pushing Response (CPR) is a free-flying technique used to study learning and memory in honey bees (Apis mellifera). The series of experiments outlined in this paper aimed to test whether honey bees exhibit the...The Cap Pushing Response (CPR) is a free-flying technique used to study learning and memory in honey bees (Apis mellifera). The series of experiments outlined in this paper aimed to test whether honey bees exhibit the cognitive concept of “expectancy” utilizing the CPR in a weight differentiation paradigm. Five previous experiments in our laboratory have explored whether the concept of expectancy can account for honey bee performance and have all failed to support the cognitive interpretation. The first experiment examined if bees could differentiate between the two caps in the amount of force they used to push the cap and the distance the cap was pushed when the caps were presented one at a time. The second experiment explored cap weight preference by presenting bees with a choice between the two caps. The third and fourth experiments tested the bee’s ability to expect reward or punishment based on cap weight. Results revealed that bees were found to have a strong preference for the light cap and therefore were not able to expect reward or punishment based on cap weight. These experiments contribute to the debate on whether bees have “cognitive” representations and continue to support the behaviorist interpretation.展开更多
This article describes the use of the first order system transfer function for learning and memory studies involving consumption of marijuana and other plant based products. We provide detailed instructions on how the...This article describes the use of the first order system transfer function for learning and memory studies involving consumption of marijuana and other plant based products. We provide detailed instructions on how the model can be used to analyze the performance of individual participants using a memory test developed by the senior authors. The importance of identifying possible learning and memory deficits of marijuana is paramount due to the growing number of states in the U.S. legalizing marijuana use for medicinal and recreational purposes. The model can also be extended to other plant based products purported to improve memory. While this article does not study the effect of marijuana, we provide details on how it can be used by illustrating its application on individuals consuming an amphetamine-like psychostimulant drug using our own memory test.展开更多
Honey bees are an established animal model for studying learning and memory related behaviors. In recent years, honey bees have become more common as a model for investigations of molecular biology, including gene exp...Honey bees are an established animal model for studying learning and memory related behaviors. In recent years, honey bees have become more common as a model for investigations of molecular biology, including gene expression. Honey bees have been used to extrapolate genetic functions found in other invertebrates, such as <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Drosophila</span></i><span> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">melanogaster</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> The honey bee model has also provided a means for isolating novel genes, including non-coding microRNA fragments. Integrating the study of learning and memory with molecular genetics, the present work examines the effect of learning acquisition and memory consolidation </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">in free-choice paradigms on the expression of a suite of genes of interest. Results suggest </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">that short-term learning acquisition causes differential expression of microRNA fragments, </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">while memory consolidation differentially affects the expression of the serine/threonine </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">protein kinase gene in honey bees. These results corroborate previous findings suggesting the importance of protein kinases in the formation of long term memory, and suggest that microRNA may play a large role in regulation of cytoskeletal scaffolding proteins.</span>展开更多
文摘The Cap Pushing Response (CPR) is a free-flying technique used to study learning and memory in honey bees (Apis mellifera). The series of experiments outlined in this paper aimed to test whether honey bees exhibit the cognitive concept of “expectancy” utilizing the CPR in a weight differentiation paradigm. Five previous experiments in our laboratory have explored whether the concept of expectancy can account for honey bee performance and have all failed to support the cognitive interpretation. The first experiment examined if bees could differentiate between the two caps in the amount of force they used to push the cap and the distance the cap was pushed when the caps were presented one at a time. The second experiment explored cap weight preference by presenting bees with a choice between the two caps. The third and fourth experiments tested the bee’s ability to expect reward or punishment based on cap weight. Results revealed that bees were found to have a strong preference for the light cap and therefore were not able to expect reward or punishment based on cap weight. These experiments contribute to the debate on whether bees have “cognitive” representations and continue to support the behaviorist interpretation.
文摘This article describes the use of the first order system transfer function for learning and memory studies involving consumption of marijuana and other plant based products. We provide detailed instructions on how the model can be used to analyze the performance of individual participants using a memory test developed by the senior authors. The importance of identifying possible learning and memory deficits of marijuana is paramount due to the growing number of states in the U.S. legalizing marijuana use for medicinal and recreational purposes. The model can also be extended to other plant based products purported to improve memory. While this article does not study the effect of marijuana, we provide details on how it can be used by illustrating its application on individuals consuming an amphetamine-like psychostimulant drug using our own memory test.
文摘Honey bees are an established animal model for studying learning and memory related behaviors. In recent years, honey bees have become more common as a model for investigations of molecular biology, including gene expression. Honey bees have been used to extrapolate genetic functions found in other invertebrates, such as <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Drosophila</span></i><span> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">melanogaster</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> The honey bee model has also provided a means for isolating novel genes, including non-coding microRNA fragments. Integrating the study of learning and memory with molecular genetics, the present work examines the effect of learning acquisition and memory consolidation </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">in free-choice paradigms on the expression of a suite of genes of interest. Results suggest </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">that short-term learning acquisition causes differential expression of microRNA fragments, </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">while memory consolidation differentially affects the expression of the serine/threonine </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">protein kinase gene in honey bees. These results corroborate previous findings suggesting the importance of protein kinases in the formation of long term memory, and suggest that microRNA may play a large role in regulation of cytoskeletal scaffolding proteins.</span>
