Genes, environment Topic 9

Definition of Evolution

Descent with modification.

Habituation

Loss of responsiveness to unimportant stimuli.

Associative Learning

Learning to associate a stimulus with a response.

Imprinting

A form of learning where young associate a stimulus with their caregiver, including both fixed and learned components.

Fixed Action Pattern

A fixed sequence of behaviors performed the same way every time, continuing to completion.

Key Stimulus

A stimulus that triggers a behavior, often just a subset of stimuli.

Kinesis

Movement of an animal in response to the intensity of a stimulus, with random direction.

Taxis

Movement of an animal in response to a stimulus gradient, with non-random direction relative to the stimulus.

Positive Taxis

Movement towards a stimulus.

Negative Taxis

Movement away from a stimulus.

Navigation

Movement that involves both orientation and piloting.

Innate Behavior

Behavior controlled by genes, often highly adaptive when learning opportunities are limited.

Genetic Control of Innate Behavior

In mice, nurturing behavior is controlled by the fos8 gene.

Stimulus Initiation

A stimulus that initiates learned behavior.

Behavior Variability

Behavior can vary with stimuli (internal and external) and across individuals.

Prior Experience

Learning may require prior experience with a stimulus.

Piloting

Movement relative to landmarks that requires prior experience.

Orientational Behavior

Use of compass direction to determine the direction of movement.

Sun Compass

A method animals use for orientation based on the position of the sun.

Star Compass

A method animals use for orientation based on the position of stars.

Magnetic Compass

A method animals use for orientation based on Earth's magnetic field.