The Oxford Handbook of Invertebrate Neurobiology

The Oxford Handbook of Invertebrate Neurobiology PDF

Author: John H. Byrne

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2019-01-29

Total Pages: 608

ISBN-13: 0190456779

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Invertebrates have proven to be extremely useful model systems for gaining insights into the neural and molecular mechanisms of sensory processing, motor control and higher functions such as feeding behavior, learning and memory, navigation, and social behavior. A major factor in their enormous contributions to neuroscience is the relative simplicity of invertebrate nervous systems. In addition, some invertebrates, primarily the molluscs, have large cells, which allow analyses to take place at the level of individually identified neurons. Individual neurons can be surgically removed and assayed for expression of membrane channels, levels of second messengers, protein phosphorylation, and RNA and protein synthesis. Moreover, peptides and nucleotides can be injected into individual neurons. Other invertebrate model systems such as Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans offer tremendous advantages for obtaining insights into the neuronal bases of behavior through the application of genetic approaches. The Oxford Handbook of Invertebrate Neurobiology reviews the many neurobiological principles that have emerged from invertebrate analyses, such as motor pattern generation, mechanisms of synaptic transmission, and learning and memory. It also covers general features of the neurobiology of invertebrate circadian rhythms, development, and regeneration and reproduction. Some neurobiological phenomena are species-specific and diverse, especially in the domain of the neuronal control of locomotion and camouflage. Thus, separate chapters are provided on the control of swimming in annelids, crustaea and molluscs, locomotion in hexapods, and camouflage in cephalopods. Unique features of the handbook include chapters that review social behavior and intentionality in invertebrates. A chapter is devoted to summarizing past contributions of invertebrates to the understanding of nervous systems and identifying areas for future studies that will continue to advance that understanding.

The Making and Un-Making of Neuronal Circuits in Drosophila

The Making and Un-Making of Neuronal Circuits in Drosophila PDF

Author: Bassem A. Hassan

Publisher: Humana Press

Published: 2016-08-23

Total Pages: 278

ISBN-13: 9781493962396

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The small fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has for over a century now had a large impact on biological and biomedical research; however, our knowledge of the fly brain has lagged significantly behind our understanding of other aspects of its development, physiology, and function. In The Making and Un-Making of Neuronal Circuits in Drosophila, innovative expert neuroscientists in the field present the ideas and concepts behind the methods, tools, and tricks that are currently being utilized to decode the secrets of this valuable insect’s brain. Focused on the concept of a neuronal circuit, defined as a series of synaptically connected neurons subservient to a particular behavioral modality, this volume contains chapters dealing with anatomical analysis with a focus on cellular and sub-cellular morphologies. These detailed approaches fall under the headings of “Physiology” and “Behavior”, conveniently divided the book into two sections. Written in the easy-to-follow Neuromethods series format, this work provides the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results. Inventive and accessible, The Making and Un-Making of Neuronal Circuits in Drosophila provides the information and tools necessary to carry out current experiments and, more importantly, further advance the progress of the Drosophila neurobiology field and neurobiology in general.

Neurones Without Impulses

Neurones Without Impulses PDF

Author: Alan Roberts

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1981-02-05

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 9780521299350

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This book reviews all known examples and considers how neurones can function without impulses.

Comparative Invertebrate Neurochemistry

Comparative Invertebrate Neurochemistry PDF

Author: G. G. Lunt

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 454

ISBN-13: 1461598044

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The attractions of invertebrate nervous systems have long been appreciated by neurophysiologists. Indeed some of the milestones in our understanding of nervous systems have their foundations in experiments done on invertebrate preparations, typified by the role of the squid axon in dissect ing the events that constitute the action potential. More recently we have seen how the relatively simple nervous system of Aplysia has permitted new insights into the molecular mechanisms of memory and learning. Neurochemists, however, have not been enthusiastic about invertebrate tissues as their experimental material. Much of the biochemical information on invertebrate nervous systems that has accrued has been incidental, almost as a by-product of what were primarily physiological investigations. Fortunately the field is changing, and research groups are making a positive choice to turn to invertebrate tissues. Two important factors have contributed to this. First, the study of analogous systems in invertebrates and vertebrates can tell us much about the evolution of nervous systems. The application of the techniques of molecular genetics to the study of such molecules as receptors and ion channels can provide detailed information about their composition that, in turn, allows us to better understand their function. By extending such studies to the invertebrates we should be able to understand how such systems have developed. Secondly, invertehrate pests are responsible for enormous losses of agricultural crops and are major vectors of disease in man.

Structure and Evolution of Invertebrate Nervous Systems

Structure and Evolution of Invertebrate Nervous Systems PDF

Author: Andreas Schmidt-Rhaesa

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2015-12-17

Total Pages: 776

ISBN-13: 0191504742

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The nervous system is particularly fascinating for many biologists because it controls animal characteristics such as movement, behavior, and coordinated thinking. Invertebrate neurobiology has traditionally been studied in specific model organisms, whilst knowledge of the broad diversity of nervous system architecture and its evolution among metazoan animals has received less attention. This is the first major reference work in the field for 50 years, bringing together many leading evolutionary neurobiologists to review the most recent research on the structure of invertebrate nervous systems and provide a comprehensive and authoritative overview for a new generation of researchers. Presented in full colour throughout, Structure and Evolution of Invertebrate Nervous Systems synthesizes and illustrates the numerous new findings that have been made possible with light and electron microscopy. These include the recent introduction of new molecular and optical techniques such as immunohistochemical staining of neuron-specific antigens and fluorescence in-situ-hybridization, combined with visualization by confocal laser scanning microscopy. New approaches to analysing the structure of the nervous system are also included such as micro-computational tomography, cryo-soft X-ray tomography, and various 3-D visualization techniques. The book follows a systematic and phylogenetic structure, covering a broad range of taxa, interspersed with chapters focusing on selected topics in nervous system functioning which are presented as research highlights and perspectives. This comprehensive reference work will be an essential companion for graduate students and researchers alike in the fields of metazoan neurobiology, morphology, zoology, phylogeny and evolution.

Neurons and Networks

Neurons and Networks PDF

Author: John E. Dowling

Publisher: Belknap Press

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 480

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

How the brain perceives our environment and controls our actions is a subject that we have only begun to understand during the 20th century. The pace of brain research has accelerated dramatically and neuroscience is now one of the most active branches of all the natural sciences. This illustrated book presents an introduction for beginning students and others that joins two major approaches to the field. First, since the brain - like any other organ - is made up of cells, Dowling covers the essentials of cellular and molecular neurobiology, introducing the specialized structure and function of individual nerve cells. In the second half of the book he presents an overview of integrative neuroscience, which describes the processing of information by aggregates of nerve cells, for it is from these networks of the nervous system that behaviour emerges.