Transcript document
What is behavior?
An observable, coordinated response to
an environmental stimulus
Behavior can be seen in all Kingdoms;
Plants can respond to a change in light by
growing in a different direction
Fungi respond to limited resources by
producing spores
Bacteria can move towards a source of
carbon dioxide
Are behaviors genetically based?
Genes code for proteins – how may
proteins relate to behaviors?
Protein Receptors
Proteins on the surface of cells interact
with the environment in a number of
ways.
Photoreceptors – produce a chemical
response to light
Thigmoreceptors – usually attached to a
cilia, produce chemical response to touch or
movement.
Chemoreceptors – produce a chemical
response to a chemical stimulus
Animals
Have organs like eyes and ears made
up of specialized cells with these protein
receptors.
These organs are integrated with the
rest of the body by the nervous and
endocrine (hormone) system.
Instincts
Certain stimuli – called “sign stimuli”
cause the same response, regardless of
how many times the organism
experiences the stimulus.
These responses that occur without
learning are called INSTINCTS.
Generally, the response that is produced
is called a FIXED-ACTION PATTERN.
This is a response that requires no
feedback from the environment.
Examples of Instincts
All Mammals (including humans) –
Suckling – the response to a nipple by a
newborn
Cats – burying their waste
Learned Behavior
Learning is unique to animals
Learning is when a behavior is changed as
a result of processing and integrating
experiences from the environment.
Types of Learned Behaviors
Imprinting – described by Konrad
Lorenz; a time-dependent learning
triggered by the exposure of sign stimuli
during a sensitive period when the
animal is young.
Classical Conditioning
Described by Ivan Pavlov; the
association of a novel stimulus with
something that will cause an instinctual
response.
Pavlov’s dogs were taught to salivate at
the sound of a bell by ringing a bell
every time they were presented with
food. Eventually the food was removed
but salivation still occurred.
Operant Conditioning
An animal learns to associate a
voluntary activity with its consequences.
Communication
Communication is a combination of
instinctual and learned behaviors. You
have the ability to communicate with
facial expressions as a newborn, but
you must learn language.
Types of Displays
Threat display – unambiguous
announcement that a signaler is
planning on attacking.
Courtship Display
A ritualized display, often based on
behaviors valued by the species (nest
making, strength, etc), that are used to
attract a mate.
Tactile Display
A signaler touches the receiver in a
ritualized way.
Evolutionary Basis of Behavior
Many behaviors increase the individual’s
chance of surviving. One type that is
difficult to understand is Altruistic
behavior.
Self-sacrificing behavior for the benefit of
others despite lowering the likelihood of
one’s own reproductive success.