Neural and Behavioral Specificity

1st Edition - January 1, 1976
Editor: Gilbert Gottfried
Language: English
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 1 5 3 6 2 - 1

Studies on the Development of Behavior and the Nervous System, Volume 3: Neural and Behavioral Specificity covers the fundamental concepts and principles of neural and behavioral… Read more

Purchase options

LIMITED OFFER

Save 50% on book bundles

Immediately download your ebook while waiting for your print delivery. No promo code is needed.

Institutional subscription on ScienceDirect

Request a sales quote

Studies on the Development of Behavior and the Nervous System, Volume 3: Neural and Behavioral Specificity covers the fundamental concepts and principles of neural and behavioral specificity in various species, including fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals. This book is composed of five sections encompassing eight chapters. The first section discusses the historical developments of neurobiological research; the role of visual experience in the functional development of the visual system; and the interrelationship between maturation and experience in development. The second section examines the developmental control of synaptogenesis and the precise neural cell connections. This section further addresses the main discrepancies in the evidence and interpretations of the retinotectal specificity based on the chemoaffinity theory. The third section discusses the role of visual experience in the development of the mammalian striate cortex, with particular emphasis on the incorporation of ontogenetic information into the developing nervous system. This topic is followed by an overview of the properties of kitten visual neurons and of some evidence for plasticity in the developing visual systems of frogs, monkeys, and man. The concluding sections cover the theories of innate species-specific behavioral development and the ontogeny of mammalian perceptual development. Neurodevelopmental biologists and researchers will find this book invaluable.

List of Contributors PrefaceDedication to C. Judson Herrick (1868-1960) Section 1 Historical and Theoretical Aspects Introduction Innate and Experiential Factors in the Development of the Visual System: Historical Basis of Current Controversy I. Introduction II. Modern Philosophy III. Psychology IV. Sensory Physiology V. Summary and Conclusions References The Roles of Experience in the Development of Behavior and the Nervous System I. Introduction II. Experience III. Roles of Experience in Development IV. Summary and Conclusions ReferencesSection 2 Neurospecificity: Chemoaffinity Theory Introduction The Formation of Visual Neuronal Connections: An Appraisal of the Present Status of the Theory of "Neuronal Specificity" I. Introduction II. Development of the Chemoaffinity Theory III. That Retinal Ganglion Cells Are Intrinsically Different from Each Other IV. Acquisition of Retinal Polarity V. Acquisition of Tectal Polarity VI. Translation of Polarized Neuronal Arrays into Ordered Neuronal Connections VII. Development of the Adult Pattern of Retinotectal Connections VIII. Retinal Pigment Abnormalities and Anomalies of Visual Connections IX. Experimental Perturbation of the Mammalian Visual System X. Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Selective Synaptic Formation XI. Intertectal Neuronal Connections: The Role of Visual Experience in Their Formation, Maintenance, and Modification XII. Summary References Retinotectal Specificity: Chemoaffinity Theory I. Introduction II. Compound Eye Experiments III. Determination of Positional Specificity IV. Tectal Lesion Experiments V. Retinal Lesions VI. Pathway Patterning VII. Tectal Gradients and Polarity VIII. Plasticity in Mammals IX. Conclusion ReferencesSection 3 Neurospecificity: Experience Introduction Receptive Field Organization in the Mammalian Cortex: The Role of Individual Experience in Development I. Introduction II. Initial Evidence III. The Visually Naive Animal IV. Effects of Abnormal Visual Experience V. Experience-Dependent Processes and Their Functional Significance VI. The Mechanisms of Experience-Sensitivity VII. Summary and Conclusions References Development of Neuronal Responses in the Visual System of Cats I. Introduction II. Responses of Kitten Neurons III. Monocular Deprivation IV. Later Plasticity Studies on Kitten Cortical Neurons V. Rabbits VI. Frogs, Monkeys, and Humans VII. Why a Critical Period? References Section 4 Behavioral Specificity Introduction Early Development of Species-Specific Auditory Perception in Birds I. Introduction II. Theories of Innate Behavioral Development III. Development of Species Identification in Ducklings IV. Bearing of the Present Findings on the Assumptions of Innate Behavioral Development Theory References Perceptual Development in Mammals I. Introduction II. Specific Visual Capacities and Sensory Experience III. Auditory Perception IV. Intermodal Consequences of Early Sensory Deprivation V. Stimulus-Seeking Behavior VI. Additional Considerations and Reflections VII. Conclusions References Section 5 Epilogue Author Index Subject IndexContents of Previous Volumes