Behaviour lecture 1

Question 1

What is the broad definition of animal behaviour in these lectures?

Answer 1

Internally coordinated responses of whole living organisms to an external and/or internal stimuli.

Question 2

What are Niko Tinbergen’s four questions?

Answer 2

Causation, Ontogeny, Utility, Evolution.

Question 3

What does ‘causation’ refer to in Tinbergen’s questions?

Answer 3

The direct stimuli that trigger a behaviour.

Question 4

What does ‘ontogeny’ refer to?

Answer 4

How behaviour develops and changes over time.

Question 5

What does ‘utility’ refer to?

Answer 5

The function of behaviour, such as survival or reproductive benefits.

Question 6

What does ‘evolution’ refer to?

Answer 6

The phylogenetic origins of behaviour.

Question 7

What system is composed of neurons that organize responses to the environment?

Answer 7

The neural system.

Question 8

What system uses hormones to transmit signals?

Answer 8

The endocrine system.

Question 9

What subset of the neural system interfaces with the external environment?

Answer 9

Sensory systems.

Question 10

What does the CNS (central nervous system) do?

Answer 10

Organizes incoming information, sets priorities, and sends signals to effector cells.

Question 11

What is cephalization?

Answer 11

Concentration of nervous system elements into an anterior head.

Question 12

What does the olfactory lobe in fish brain control?

Answer 12

Smell.

Question 13

What does the optic lobe in fish brain control?

Answer 13

Vision.

Question 14

What is the role of the cerebral hemisphere in fish?

Answer 14

Centre of tasks like learning and cognition (less developed than in birds and mammals).

Question 15

What does the pineal gland do in fish?

Answer 15

Transduces photoperiod and temperature cycles.

Question 16

What is the function of the diencephalon?

Answer 16

Hormone balancing structure connecting forebrain to midbrain.

Question 17

What does the cerebellum coordinate?

Answer 17

Physical movements/motor activity.

Question 18

What is the role of the medulla oblongata?

Answer 18

Controls cardiac and respiratory systems.

Question 19

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

Answer 19

Directs physiological functions by secreting neurohormones.

Question 20

What are interoreceptors?

Answer 20

Organs sensitive to internal stimuli.

Question 21

What are exteroreceptors?

Answer 21

Organs stimulated by external environmental changes.

Question 22

What are the main exteroreceptors in teleost fish?

Answer 22

Olfactory system, Gustatory receptor system, Lateral line system, Inner ear, Vision.

Question 23

What chemical senses do fish use?

Answer 23

Olfaction (smell), Gustation (taste).

Question 24

What are pheromones?

Answer 24

Chemical signals released to communicate with others of the same species.

Question 25

What are kairomones?

Answer 25

Chemical signals from one species useful to another species, often in predator-prey interactions.

Question 26

What function does the gustatory system primarily serve?

Answer 26

Feeding behaviour and food evaluation.

Question 27

Where are taste buds located in fish?

Answer 27

Oral cavity, Pharynx, Branchial area (gills), Skin (cutaneous), Barbels.

Question 28

How does starvation affect fish taste sensitivity?

Answer 28

Makes fish less selective in what they feed on.

Question 29

What system do fish use to detect near-body water movement?

Answer 29

Lateral line system.

Question 30

What are the two types of neuromasts in the lateral line system?

Answer 30

Canal neuromasts and superficial neuromasts.

Question 31

What do canal neuromasts detect?

Answer 31

Larger and distant pressure changes (20-30 to 100 Hz sensitivity).

Question 32

What do superficial neuromasts detect?

Answer 32

Local disturbances and small movements (2-5 to 10-15 Hz sensitivity).

Question 33

What does the inner ear (membranous labyrinth) help detect?

Answer 33

Equilibrium, balance, and hearing.

Question 34

What are otoliths used for in fish?

Answer 34

Balance, hearing, and age determination.

Question 35

What are Weberian ossicles?

Answer 35

Bones connecting the swim bladder to the inner ear, amplifying sound.

Question 36

What role does vision play in fish?

Answer 36

Important for intraspecific communication, prey detection, and mate choice.

Question 37

What adaptation helps fish focus vision underwater?

Answer 37

Moving the lens closer to or further from the retina.

Question 38

What are electroreceptors used for?

Answer 38

Detecting weak electric fields for navigation, hunting, and communication.

Question 39

What is magnetoreception?

Answer 39

The ability to detect the Earth's magnetic fields for navigation and positioning.

Question 40

What system regulates reproduction, metabolism, and stress in fish?

Answer 40

The endocrine system.