In one study, rats licked frequently during infancy by their mothers were calmer than rats licked infrequently when faced with stress later in life. What is the most likely explanation for this difference?
A) The rat pups that were frequently licked learned to engage in the licking behavior as a coping strategy during times of stress.
B) Because mothers who chose to lick their pups had a calmer demeanor, their pups were raised in less stressful environments.
C) By licking their pups, these mothers had influenced the expression of genes that influenced responses to a stress hormone.
D) The "licking" prone mothers only cared for the calmest pups of the litter, causing the more aggressive pups to die prematurely.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most likely explanation is that the licking behavior of the mothers influenced the expression of genes in their pups, affecting their responses to stress hormones. This epigenetic mechanism has been observed in studies, where maternal care can lead to long-term changes in gene expression related to stress responses.

In One Study, Rats Licked Frequently During Infancy by Their