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Reflex and Sensitization in a Sea Slug

Topic
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Nervous & Endocrine Systems
  • Animal Behavior
  • Zoology
Resource Type
  • Videos
  • Clips
Level
High School — AP/IBCollege
Duration
00:01:25
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Description

This video explores a reflex in a model organism for studying short- and long-term memory.

The sea slug Aplysia is a model organism in neuroscience studies. As shown in the video, applying a weak stimulus to the slug, such as touching the slug with a probe, results in a defensive reflex: a slight withdrawal of the gill. If scientists first give an electrical shock to the slug’s tail, the weak stimulus results in a greater withdrawal of the gill. The effect of one electrical shock lasts for about a day (e.g., short-term memory), and the effect of multiple shocks lasts for many days (e.g., long-term memory).

This clip is from a 2008 Holiday Lecture Series, Making Your Mind: Molecules, Motion, and Memory.

Details
Key Terms

learning, memory, neuroscience, noxious stimulus, reinforcement, stimulus

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Version History
Date Published 02.06.08
Materials
Large (MOV) 11 MB
Large (WMV) 11 MB
Small (MOV) 4 MB
Small (WMV) 4 MB
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