When the gill-withdrawal reflex of the sea snail Aplysia has been successfully conditioned to a stimulus such as a squirt of water from a WaterPik, observed changes in the neural circuit include:
A) a decrease in the number of synapses.
B) a decrease in the branching of neurons and in the amount of neurotransmitters released.
C) an increase in the branching of neurons and in the amount of neurotransmitters released.
D) structural but not functional changes in the brain.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Conditioning of the gill-withdrawal reflex in Aplysia leads to an increase in the number of synapses, an increase in the branching and growth of neurons, and an increase in the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin. These changes reflect the strengthening of the neural circuit underlying the learned behavior.

When the Gill-Withdrawal Reflex of the Sea Snail Aplysia Has