Biology of Behavior Q and A

This is called chemotaxis. This is an innate behavior of aquatic organisms. The terminology is derived from the term -taxis meaning an innate behavioral response created by a specific stimulus. In this case the stimulus is a chemical, and so the term is chemotaxis.

Are other behaviors inherited (innate)? What evidence is there behind the inheritance of behavior?

Some evidence for a biological basis for behavior are:
Species specific actions/behaviors
Alterations in biological structures cause behavioral changes : There have been cases of brain damage in which behavior has changed as a result, while other facets of their being remain in tact.
Some behaviors run in families : I.e. some mental illnesses run in families and in some cases members of mentally ill family members are more likely to develop "the family" mental illness.
Evolutionary behavioral patterns follow through new generations : Instead of having to re-learn the behavior of a previous generation, new generations are born with them.

Many of the behaviors of infants are innate.

What is the reaction of a bird to a squirrel? What is the reaction of a bird to another member of its species?
Another bird will pose a sort of threat to its survival. Both will be feeding off the same food in the same area. Their young will be competing for survival as well. For smaller birds a larger bird can pose a threat to their life and the life of their young. In the face of a predator, the bird will take defensive action.

Why is it that most aggressive encounters by organisms of the same species cause relatively little damage compared to those of different species?

The same species have the same tools and defenses and aren't really equipped to face off against each other in an extremely harmful manner. With encounters between other species (think hawk and mouse, bear and fish, snake and frog, etc) one creature is more equipped to fight with, and defeat the other. Many creatures of the same species use methods of intimidation that takes precedent over fighting.

Is group living beneficial to a species?

Group living is beneficial to a species in that the youth can easily learn from the elderly and have the benefit of this association. Groups also provide a better opportunity for survival. Groups can more easily protect the young and fight or intimidate aggressors or predators. In human group living communities contribute to survival in that each person can study and master a specific area so that all people don't have to have the same expertise In animals, food and other survival needs can be gathered, stored, and/or shared among a group. Some examples of group living organisms are humans, chimpanzees, and meerkats, among others.

However, group living also has its disadvantages. Take disease outbreaks such as SARS, these spread easily and rapidly, thus in group living it is easier to become infected with, and to spread diseases.

What is the fight or flight response in humans and what role does it play in survival?

The fight or flight response is regulated by the hypothalamus at the base of the forebrain. This response is triggered by a perceived threat. Once a threat is realized our heart rate goes up, the pupils dilate, breathing speeds up, metabolism occurs more rapidly causing large stores of energy, unnecessary body systems are shut down, sweat glands open for cooling while skin blood vessels constrict in order to limit blood loss in the case of injury, and endorphins are released. At this point the body will act instead of think, we will fight or we will flee.

The fight or flight response serves to protect us from harm. In the case of fight we are protecting ourselves, our families, our lifestyles, against a threat. Bodily changes such as constricting of blood vessels in the skin allow for limitation in bleeding, the shutting down of unneeded body system helps us to use less energy and keep more for the fight (or flight), endorphins deter us from feeling pain so it doesn't get in the way while fighting. Flight allows us to survive to fight another day. Body functions during the fight or flight response also support this course of action.