Abstract
An overview of some of the biochemical and molecular events involved in the process of learning and memory are presented in a short review. Two invertebrate models of learning are considered: the gill-withdrawal 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 avoidance learning (PAL) in the young chick. The role of several biological molecules in learning and memory are considered, for example, protein kinase C (PKC), Ca(++)-Calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII), GAP-43, and glutamate receptors.
MeSH terms
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Adenylyl Cyclases / physiology
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Animals
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Aplysia / physiology*
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Avoidance Learning / physiology
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Chickens
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Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / physiology
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Drosophila melanogaster / physiology*
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Gills / innervation
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Glycoproteins / physiology
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Hippocampus / physiology
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Learning / physiology*
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Long-Term Potentiation
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Memory / physiology*
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology
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Receptors, Muscarinic / physiology
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Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / physiology
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Reflex / physiology
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Second Messenger Systems
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Signal Transduction
Substances
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Glycoproteins
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Receptors, Muscarinic
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Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
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Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
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Adenylyl Cyclases