Apparatus T-maze

1 apparatus

1.1 other mazes

1.1.1 multiple t-maze
1.1.2 y-maze
1.1.3 radial arm maze

apparatus

the t-maze 1 of group of various mazes of differing sizes , many shapes. 1 of simple, consisting of 2 turns - right or left. maze able altered blocking 1 of 2 paths. basis behind t-maze place rat @ base of maze. placing reward @ 1 arm or both arms of maze, rat must make choice of path take. decision made rat can cause of natural preference within rat. study of alternation can performed repeating experiment multiple times no reward in either arm of maze. experiment can performed alternation of rewards each time experiment performed, proving rat choose arm not visited each time experiment starts.

rewards within rats can types of food, rat within cage, odor, or type of shelter. performing type of experiment, rat s preferences can determined. examples of rat s food preferences, familiarity specific smells , scents, attraction of male , female within maze, , whether young rat prefers adult female or adult male. these simple experiments can determine rat s psyche on multiple subjects, , divulge further rat s psychological characteristics. important consider rodent s behavior. use of spatial , non-spatial cues influential research findings on memory, spatial learning , long-term potential (ltp). these cues include orientation of maze, extra-maze cues , room configuration cues. strategies may affected rodent s ability find cues in room, presence or absence of polarizing cues in room, , stability of maze in room. when analyzing , interpreting experimental data, researchers have consider orientation , configuration of apparatus , cues in room.

other mazes
multiple t-maze

this type of apparatus includes multiple t-mazes connected result in complex maze. constructed of high number of t-junctions. each intersection remains same length , scale, gives every point within maze direct right or wrong answer. not changing size of maze, allows rat focus on decision , not confused if size of maze altered within junctions. multiple t-mazes constructed question response vs. place techniques , of cognitive direction , mapping.

an example of experiment within multiple t-maze performed allowing rat explore multiple t-maze without reward. after letting rat roam, researchers restarted maze again reward placed @ end of maze. rats prior exposure maze able navigate through maze reach reward. experiment proved rats have ability generate cognitive map when exposed surroundings , can process information when needed complete task.

y-maze

researchers have created y-maze functions similar t-maze. y-maze altered have more gradual change arms. arms equal in length , distance apart 1 another. y-maze has proven easier rats understand layout of space , recognize rewards, similar pattern, , adapt new experiments @ quicker pace.

radial arm maze

this type of maze constructed center platform arms radiating center. original maze had 8 spokes, have been constructed few 3 , many 48 spokes. type of maze used perform short-term memory experimentations on rats. rats examined on whether or not have ability remember arms have explored. determined placing food pellets @ each of arms , rat must travel down each arm once , retrieve pellet accordingly.