The pattern of sensory discharge can determine the motor response in young Xenopus tadpoles |
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Authors: | S R Soffe |
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Institution: | (1) School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK, Tel.: +44-117/928-8536, Fax: +44-117/925-7374, e-mail: S.R.Soffe@Bristol.ac.UK, GB |
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Abstract: | Young Xenopus tadpoles were used to test whether the pattern of discharge in specific sensory neurons can determine the motor response
of a whole animal. Young Xenopus tadpoles show two main rhythmic behaviours: swimming and struggling. Touch-sensitive skin sensory neurons in the spinal cord
of immobilised tadpoles were penetrated singly or in pairs using microelectrodes to allow precise control of their firing
patterns. A single impulse in one Rohon-Beard neuron (= light touch) could sometimes trigger “fictive” swimming. Two to six
impulses at 30–50 Hz (= a light stroke) reliably triggered fictive swimming. Neither stimulus evoked fictive struggling. Twenty-five
or more impulses at 30–50 Hz (= pressure) could evoke a pattern of rhythmic bursts, distinct from swimming and suitable to
drive slower, stronger movements. This pattern showed some or all the characteristics of “fictive” struggling. These results
demonstrate clearly that sensory neurons can determine the pattern of motor output simply by their pattern of discharge. This
provides a simple form of behavioural selection according to stimulus.
Accepted: 28 November 1996 |
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Keywords: | Rohon-Beard neurons Swimming Struggling Motor pattern selection Spinal cord |
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