Classical Conditioning in Tardigrades: Blue Light CS and Caffeine US
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Walter Isaac
Abstract
We sought to determine whether tardigrades could associate caffeine with a neutral blue light stimulus. Our V-shaped apparatuses had central alleys measuring 2.5 mm wide x 25 mm long. A center divider was used during testing to restrict the blue light to half of the apparatus yet allowing tardigrades to freely move along the alley. Prior to trials, tardigrades were isolated in each apparatus and maintained in darkness for 24 hr. Beginning a trial, the CS illuminated the apparatus for 40 sec. Upon terminating the CS, 1 ml of the US (0 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml, or 15 mg/ml) was introduced for 4 min. Treatment was ended by flooding the apparatus. After 4 hr of darkness, the CS illuminated one half of the apparatus, which remained on for another 4 hr. The distribution of tardigrades along the length of the apparatus floor was videoed upon termination of the CS. Extraneous variables were handled using multiple control conditions. Chi square tests were used to analyze our data, revealing: no preferences across control groups, 0 mg/ml Forward Pairing (FP) differed from 5 mg/ml FP (χ2(1) = 5.3, p < .05), in the 5 mg/ml FP more tardigrades were in the blue zone than the dark zone (χ2(1) = 10.7, p < .01), and the 5 mg/ml FP differed from the 15 mg/ml FP (χ2(1) = 12.2, p < .001). This suggests 5 mg/ml of caffeine is appetitive to tardigrades while 15 mg/ml is aversive. Keywords: Caffeine, Tardigrades, Classical Conditioning, light stimulus
Start Date
27-3-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
27-3-2024 9:50 AM
Location
Magnolia Ballroom
Word document with title, abstract, and key words
Classical Conditioning in Tardigrades: Blue Light CS and Caffeine US
Magnolia Ballroom
We sought to determine whether tardigrades could associate caffeine with a neutral blue light stimulus. Our V-shaped apparatuses had central alleys measuring 2.5 mm wide x 25 mm long. A center divider was used during testing to restrict the blue light to half of the apparatus yet allowing tardigrades to freely move along the alley. Prior to trials, tardigrades were isolated in each apparatus and maintained in darkness for 24 hr. Beginning a trial, the CS illuminated the apparatus for 40 sec. Upon terminating the CS, 1 ml of the US (0 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml, or 15 mg/ml) was introduced for 4 min. Treatment was ended by flooding the apparatus. After 4 hr of darkness, the CS illuminated one half of the apparatus, which remained on for another 4 hr. The distribution of tardigrades along the length of the apparatus floor was videoed upon termination of the CS. Extraneous variables were handled using multiple control conditions. Chi square tests were used to analyze our data, revealing: no preferences across control groups, 0 mg/ml Forward Pairing (FP) differed from 5 mg/ml FP (χ2(1) = 5.3, p < .05), in the 5 mg/ml FP more tardigrades were in the blue zone than the dark zone (χ2(1) = 10.7, p < .01), and the 5 mg/ml FP differed from the 15 mg/ml FP (χ2(1) = 12.2, p < .001). This suggests 5 mg/ml of caffeine is appetitive to tardigrades while 15 mg/ml is aversive. Keywords: Caffeine, Tardigrades, Classical Conditioning, light stimulus