Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2013

Disciplines

Biology | Neuroscience and Neurobiology

Abstract

The organization of the human brain is extremely complex. Therefore, scientists have relied upon model organisms like the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster for nervous system studies, because these organisms are less complex and can be experimentally manipulated with genetic tools. In this study, we focus on fruit fly larval crawling behavior and how it can be altered by the manipulation of subsets of neurons that may be involved in generating crawling behavior. Eight subsets were tested and all of them were found to limit normal larval crawling behavior to some degree. The elucidation of these subsets will help us to better understand potential roles of neuron subtypes in neural circuits of the human brain.

Comments

Approved by: Jennifer Schaefer, Barbara May, Elizabeth Wurdak, William Lamberts, Anthony Cunningham

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