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Krasnow Institute > Monday Seminars > Abstracts What more is there to learn about learning? Kim "Avrama" Blackwell Learning, an adaptive change in behavior based on experience, is one of the most intriguing aspects of animal behavior. Despite extensive interest and research on the subject, the mechanisms whereby cells store memories are still poorly understood. One avenue of research is classical conditioning, because it is quantifiable and appears in animals with simple nervous systems. The seaslug, Hermissenda crassicornis, is an animal model of classical conditioning. It is of value because its cellular mechanisms of memory storage have been identified, specifically, elevation in calcium leads to a reduction in potassium currents in identified photoreceptors. However, the most important question about memory storage is still not answered: Why are paired stimuli essential? I present research that addresses whether two sources of calcium or two unique second messengers are involved. Also, I present results that suggest other currents may be modified by learning.
The Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study |
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