Biochemical Transfer of Learning via Ingestion in Planaria

1. Biochemical Transfer of Learning via Ingestion in Planaria David Williams Undergraduate Student (Health Sciences Conc.) Dept. of Biology (Software & Scientific Applications Conc.) Dept. of Computer Science Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505

2. Summary • Hypothesis: Even without training, Planaria that eat other Planaria who were trained to perform a task before being consumed will gain some of the memory of the consumed individual. • Null: The test and control groups will behave similarly.

3. Background/Lit Review • Pavlovian Learning (They can be trained) (Thompson, 1955) • Transfer of Knowledge (McConnell, 1962) • mRNA in Rats (Jacobson, 1965) • RNA excretion in Human Neurons (Fields, 2005)

4. Objective/Hypothesis • Objective: To demonstrate that learning in planarians can be triggered by eating other planaria, not just by experience. Hypothesis: Planaria that eat planaria that have learned to fear light will begin to anticipate a shock when they see light.

5. Null Hypothesis • One day after feeding Test Group • First Measurements of Test and Control • Additional Training Period to measure learning rates. • If both are equal or almost equal, there will not be evidence to support the hypothesis.

6. Methods and Materials • 20 Trained, 10 each control and test grps. • The Task: Contraction at Light Flash • Training Methods Pavlovian Learning Negative Reinforcement (3V shock) • Preparation for Consumption Grinding up with chicken liver

7. Habitat • 3 Plastic Tanks • Spring Water <Enough to Fill 12 Tanks> • Chicken Liver <Food> • Overhead Light <Unconditioned Stim.> • Battery, low power <Conditioned Stim.>

8. Data Form • Will record number of trials for each group • Will record length of trials for each group • Will record mean reaction time before training and after each trial w/ stopwatch.

9. Project Timeline • 3-12 - 3-18 Collection of Specimens • 3-19 – 4-1 Training First Group • 4-2 – 4-16 Data Collection from Experimental and Control Groups.

10. Benefits and Results Possible Applications of Chemical-Mediated Learning • Animal Training • Behavior Modification • Wildlife Control • New Industry (Harvesting)

11. Budget • Staff: 0$ • Specimens: 8$ • Habitat: 17$ • Training Materials: 22$ • Data Processing Materials: 1$

12. Possible Future Research • Head vs. Tail for Learning • Erasure of Memory • Pairing of Reaction with Other Stimuli <Temperature, Sound, etc.>

13. References • Fields, Douglas R. 2005. Making memories stick. Scientific American292.5: 75-81. • Jacobson, Allan L. et. al. 1965. Differential-Approach Tendencies Produced by Injection of RNA from Trained Rats. Science150 :636-637.

14. References continued • McConnell, J. V. 1962. “Memory transfer through cannibalism in planarians.” Journal of Neuropsychiatry. 3:42-48. • Thompson R., and McConnell J. 1955. “Classical conditioning in the planarian, Dugesia dorotocephala.” Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology. 48:65-68.