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Functional Analysis of the Larval Feeding Circuit in Drosophila
Published on: November 19, 2013
Chemoreceptive control of feeding processes in hydra
W Grosvenor1, D E Rhoads, G Kass-Simon
1Department of Biology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston 02881, USA.
Chemical Senses
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Hydra exhibit satiety through chemoreception of prey substances, not gut distention. These chemical signals trigger mouth closure and body contractions, indicating a full state in these simple animals.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Animal Behavior
- Marine Biology
Background:
- Cnidarians, like hydra, are the simplest animals displaying satiety behaviors.
- Previously, a fraction of prey substances was found to inhibit prey capture in hydra.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of prey chemical cues in inducing satiety in hydra.
- To determine if gut distention contributes to satiety signals in hydra.
Main Methods:
- Administered a gel chromatographic fraction of prey substances to hydra.
- Assessed the effects of the fraction on mouth opening, reduced glutathione (GSH) binding, and body contractions.
- Compared behaviors induced by prey substances with those induced by gut distention.
Main Results:
- The prey substance fraction reduced the duration of mouth opening induced by GSH.
- The fraction inhibited the binding of GSH to its putative receptor.
- Prey substances induced column contractions similar to those observed in sated hydra, while gut distention did not.
Conclusions:
- Chemoreception of prey substances, rather than gut distention, appears to induce satiety in hydra.
- Specific prey chemical cues likely mediate satiety signals, influencing feeding behaviors like mouth closure and body contractions.
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