This blog is intended to be a discussion of topics and issues in science. The comments, discussions, essays, and links are those of their individual authors and not necessarily those of any particular institution or any other individual.
This is a really interesting study because it incorporates the effects of alcohol along with social interaction. It is interesting how the researchers tested the common belief that those who are sexually deprived have alcoholic tendencies. I always thought that alcohol was just a cultural way to "numb" the pain or forget who you are for a moment.On the other hand, as this research shows, the alcohol actually replaces the effect of the neurotransmitter NPF. I did not know what NPF was, so I looked it up. Neuropeptide F coordinates larval behavioral changes during development. So as the fly matures, it receives stimulation of that neurotransmitter by either being sexually active or drowning its sorrows in alcohol.
I do not know what category of clinical applications this research would fall under, but it could definitely benefit those who struggle with alcoholism. I do not know exactly what the prescribed treatment would be ("go home and do the deed?") or perhaps more research needs to be done about the pathway of NPF and possible drugs that could replace the effect (without the patient having to become an alcoholic).
I think the funniest thing in the article is the following quote: "But the award for the most unsavory experiment went to the decapitation of female subjects to ensure that males were deprived sexually but not exposed to the social experience of rejection. (Males will court a headless female, but their attempts rarely end in sex.)"
Not only is this very disturbing and morbid, but the fly did not even notice the female was headless? So it can experience "rejection" but not notice decapitation? I think the fly, as Ronald Weasley says, "needs to sort out [his] priorities."
I found this article so fascinating, mostly because I could never have imagined that an insect like a fruit fly would turn to alcohol in the face of rejection or sexual deprivation. I mean its such a human thing to do, but then again that just makes me realize how little I know about the other organisms that make up the spectrum of life. In fact, fruit flies are one of the more popular organisms used in research. I know Thomas Hunt Morgan used them in heredity experiments to show sex-linked traits, and more recently, these scientists have expanded the fruit fly repertoire to include behavioral and social research. Reading this article, reminded me of my high school days when my AP Biology teacher made us breed fruit flies for two weeks. I don't even remember what the objective of that project was, but I vividly recall the disgust and hatred I felt every time it was my turn to take them home. Yet, these scientists have dedicated time to not only feed and care for an entire fly population, but to also carefully and systematically decapitate some females and isolate some males, while watching hour-long videos of fruit flies mating. In fact, the article says that the findings Galit Shohat-Ophir and her colleagues published were the culmination of years of research. Years???? What???? I can't believe anyone would commit themselves to something like this, but I guess time does fly when you're having fun.
This article is oddly fascinating because of its comparison to the way humans act in these situations. For their study, the flies showed an increase in alcohol consumption when they courted a female fly and it did not end in sex. I do believe a lot of times, relationships are the cause for alcoholism. Humans will find a way to drown out the pain tied to the person they like, are dating, or are married to. It is crazy to think that other organisms do the same. Fruit flies have been studied for a long while, and it is research such as this that shows that we still do not know the full make-up of their brains, and how they function. Although odd, this research could potentially lead into a breakthrough for alcoholism in humans.
It is crazy how we can observe similar behaviors in animals that can be observed in humans. In most cases, one would be hard pressed to find a truly happy alcoholic. Alcohol in most instances helps people forget the stressful week they just had, or they use it as a coping mechanism to get through the pains of life. Specifically when it come to relationships, alcohol can be found when there is a celebration like at a wedding, or when there has just been a low moment like a break up. Who would have thought that flies cope the same way? Also, it is very interesting that flies would still try to court decapitated female flies. I would like to know what neurotransmitters were running through their brains when fly were trying to mate with a dead female.
Hahahaha
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ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting study because it incorporates the effects of alcohol along with social interaction. It is interesting how the researchers tested the common belief that those who are sexually deprived have alcoholic tendencies. I always thought that alcohol was just a cultural way to "numb" the pain or forget who you are for a moment.On the other hand, as this research shows, the alcohol actually replaces the effect of the neurotransmitter NPF. I did not know what NPF was, so I looked it up. Neuropeptide F coordinates larval behavioral changes during development. So as the fly matures, it receives stimulation of that neurotransmitter by either being sexually active or drowning its sorrows in alcohol.
ReplyDeleteI do not know what category of clinical applications this research would fall under, but it could definitely benefit those who struggle with alcoholism. I do not know exactly what the prescribed treatment would be ("go home and do the deed?") or perhaps more research needs to be done about the pathway of NPF and possible drugs that could replace the effect (without the patient having to become an alcoholic).
I think the funniest thing in the article is the following quote: "But the award for the most unsavory experiment went to the decapitation of female subjects to ensure that males were deprived sexually but not exposed to the social experience of rejection. (Males will court a headless female, but their attempts rarely end in sex.)"
Not only is this very disturbing and morbid, but the fly did not even notice the female was headless? So it can experience "rejection" but not notice decapitation? I think the fly, as Ronald Weasley says, "needs to sort out [his] priorities."
I found this article so fascinating, mostly because I could never have imagined that an insect like a fruit fly would turn to alcohol in the face of rejection or sexual deprivation. I mean its such a human thing to do, but then again that just makes me realize how little I know about the other organisms that make up the spectrum of life. In fact, fruit flies are one of the more popular organisms used in research. I know Thomas Hunt Morgan used them in heredity experiments to show sex-linked traits, and more recently, these scientists have expanded the fruit fly repertoire to include behavioral and social research.
ReplyDeleteReading this article, reminded me of my high school days when my AP Biology teacher made us breed fruit flies for two weeks. I don't even remember what the objective of that project was, but I vividly recall the disgust and hatred I felt every time it was my turn to take them home. Yet, these scientists have dedicated time to not only feed and care for an entire fly population, but to also carefully and systematically decapitate some females and isolate some males, while watching hour-long videos of fruit flies mating. In fact, the article says that the findings Galit Shohat-Ophir and her colleagues published were the culmination of years of research. Years???? What???? I can't believe anyone would commit themselves to something like this, but I guess time does fly when you're having fun.
This article is oddly fascinating because of its comparison to the way humans act in these situations. For their study, the flies showed an increase in alcohol consumption when they courted a female fly and it did not end in sex. I do believe a lot of times, relationships are the cause for alcoholism. Humans will find a way to drown out the pain tied to the person they like, are dating, or are married to. It is crazy to think that other organisms do the same. Fruit flies have been studied for a long while, and it is research such as this that shows that we still do not know the full make-up of their brains, and how they function. Although odd, this research could potentially lead into a breakthrough for alcoholism in humans.
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy how we can observe similar behaviors in animals that can be observed in humans. In most cases, one would be hard pressed to find a truly happy alcoholic. Alcohol in most instances helps people forget the stressful week they just had, or they use it as a coping mechanism to get through the pains of life. Specifically when it come to relationships, alcohol can be found when there is a celebration like at a wedding, or when there has just been a low moment like a break up.
ReplyDeleteWho would have thought that flies cope the same way? Also, it is very interesting that flies would still try to court decapitated female flies. I would like to know what neurotransmitters were running through their brains when fly were trying to mate with a dead female.