required reading:
Friedel T, Barth FG (1997) Wind-sensitive interneurones in the spider CNS (Cupiennius salei): directional information processing of sensory inputs from trichobothria on the walking legs. J comp Physiol A 180(3):223-233.
pdf-file

questions:

This authors of this paper investigated importance of wind-sensitive neurons in adult female spiders (Cupiennius salei) in localizing the source of air movements.

1. Briefly describe the spider's central nervous system.
2. How were neuron response and structure determined?
3. The authors of the study used two different methods to stimulate the trichobothria. How were tarsal and metatarsal trichobothria stimulated? Describe both methods.
4.What were the response characteristics of bilateral type I interneurons? (phasic, response latency, laterality of response, etc)
5. What were the response characteristics of bilateral type II interneurons?
6. What were the response characteristics of unilateral type I and II interneurons?
7. In what way does the structure of bilateral and unilateral type I, II differ?
8. What were the response characteristics of bilateral type III interneurons? In what way does the response of these neurons differ from other interneurons? Why may this be significant?
9. What were the response characteristics of bilateral-directional type 1 and type II interneurons?

PDF-file of power point lecture (about 1.2 MB)

background reading:
Peter G. Gillespie & Richard G. Walker (2001) Molecular basis of mechanosensory transduction. Nature 413:194-203. pdf-file

Links:
Information about Arachnids: the American Arachnological Society
George Uetz' Lab
Escape behavior in the American cockroach