A Scientist Trains a Group of Rats to Run a Maze

question 126

Multiple Choice

A scientist trains a group of rats to run a maze to get food pellets. Another group of rats is trained to run the maze without receiving food pellets. At the end of the training, the group receiving the food pellets runs the maze faster and with fewer errors. However, when the scientist begins giving the second group of rats food pellets for running the maze, they almost immediately begin running the maze as well as the first group. This improved performance is probably due to ________.

• A) latent learning
• B) spontaneous recovery
• C) insight
• D) vicarious trial and error learning

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Definitions:

Phosphorylated Protein

A protein that has undergone the addition of a phosphate group, which can affect the protein's function and activity.

Calmodulin

A calcium-binding protein; when bound, it alters the activity of certain enzymes or transport proteins.

Calcium-Binding Protein

A type of protein that can bind calcium ions, playing crucial roles in cellular processes and signaling.

Phospholipase

An enzyme that hydrolyzes phospholipids into fatty acids and other lipophilic substances, playing key roles in cellular membranes' metabolism and signaling.