Initiation of Behavior by Single Neurons: The Role of Behavioral Context
Abstract
Flying crickets avoid sources of ultrasound, possibly echolocating bats, by making rapid steering movements that turn them away from the stimulus. Electrical stimulation of a single, identified sensory interneuron (Int-1) elicits avoidance steering; depressing its response to ultrasound abolishes avoidance steering. Int-1 is necessary and sufficient for this behavior but only while the cricket is in flight. Thus, the sufficiency of Int-1 for eliciting this behavior is contingent on behavioral context.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- November 1984
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.6505681
- Bibcode:
- 1984Sci...226..992N