Reflections on organisms: Examples from the neurobiology of insect rhythmic movements

Abstract

Consideration of organisms is necessary for neurobiologists interested in the neural bases of behavior, because a behavioral act performed by an intact animal defines the problem to be solved and also constitutes the context in which the nervous system operates. In addition, observations of behaving organisms can introduce new preparations for study of general questions. Examples are given from rhythmic gill movements of Corydalus cornutus, insect flight, and development of the moth flight motor. In a concluding section, questions are raised about possible philosophical and judgmental influences on the current tensions between holistic approaches expressed in organismic biology and reductionist approaches expressed in biotechnology. © 1989 by the American Society of Zoologists.