Odor-dependent temporal dynamics in adaptation and aversive learning behavior.

Animals sense an enormous number of cues in their environments, and, over time, can form learned associations and memories with some of these. The nervous system remarkably maintains the specificity of learning and memory to each of the cues. Here we asked whether the nematode adjusts the temporal dynamics of adaptation and aversive learning depending on the specific odor sensed.

A natural odor attraction between lactic acid bacteria and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Animal predators can track prey using their keen sense of smell. The bacteriovorous nematode Caenorhabditis elegans employs sensitive olfactory sensory neurons that express vertebrate-like odor receptors to locate bacteria. C.