MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR MECHANISMS OF LEARNING IN A SNAIL

Elaboration of sensitization and associative habit of a rejection of a certain kind of food is accompanied by short-term and long-term chang es of behaviour, bioelectric activity and the dynamics of bound calciu m (Ca-b) level in the command neurons of defensive behaviour. Approxim ately in the course of an hour from the moment of the beginning of lea rning were revealed in general similar behavioural and neurophysiologi cal effects during elaboration of both these habits. During elaboratio n of sensitization the responses to testing tactile stimulations, quin ine and carrot juice applications appeared and/or markedly increased b eginning from 50-60 minutes from the moment of the first sensitizing s timulation. During conditioning the responses to sensory stimulations characterizing the state of sensitization were also facilitated in 50- 60 minutes. At the same time, responses to a conditioned stimulus appe ared and increased approximately 30 minutes later. Protein synthesis b lockers anisomycin and cyclohexemide blocked the development of the lo ng-term neurophysiological and metabolic Ca-b effects during elaborati on of sensitization.