THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF LEARNING AND MEMORY

An overview of some of the biochemical and molecular events involved i n the process of learning and memory are presented in a short review. Two invertebrate models of learning are considered: the gill-withdrawa l reflex of Aplysia and avoidance learning in Drosophila melanogaster. Particular attention is paid to the biochemical mechanisms underlying both the development of long-term potentiation (LTP) and passive avoi dance learning (PAL) in the young chick. The role of several biologica l molecules in learning and memory are considered, for example, protei n kinase C (PKC), Ca++-Calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII), GAP-43, and glut amate receptors.