Of mice and men
Mice are common experimental animals in biology and psychology because, like humans, they are mammals, and share a high degree of homology with their more sophisticated classmates. The genome has been sequenced in its entirety, and almost every gene has a human homolog. Unlike humans, however, it is possible to manipulate mice in ways considered unethical with humans.
After years of inbreeding and genetic manipulation, laboratory mice have regressed such that their behavioral patterns are much simpler than those of their wild counterparts. They do, however, maintain a strong sense of smell which helps them remain depenedent on pheromones for interaction, and an acute sense of hearing, making them sensitive to ultrasounds. They also maintain a circadian rhythm, and need 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark to function properly.
Lab mice are a good option for laboratory experiments because they are cheap, easily maintained and reproduce quickly.
EXCEPT in the winter. In the winter, mice like to eat and sleep, and don't like to mate or reproduce. They get pudgy and, you know, just don't feel sexy.
Because it's ok to manipulate the mice in ways you can't manipulate people, it's ok to be a little coersive and try to get them to mate. In order to get them in the mood, sometimes, music helps. Magic 106.7, namely, gets them going, makes them more likely to get into the right state of mind for reproduction. "Smooth Operator," all that. Even then, they prefer sleeping and eating.
I left the house in the dark, sat in a dark room and left the dark room back into dark. I slept 11 hours yesterday and ate 2 lunches, and 1.5 dinners. I felt momentarily cuddly after watching a chick flick, but upon reflection dropped into bed to sleep instead. Now I ask you. Are we really really that different?
After years of inbreeding and genetic manipulation, laboratory mice have regressed such that their behavioral patterns are much simpler than those of their wild counterparts. They do, however, maintain a strong sense of smell which helps them remain depenedent on pheromones for interaction, and an acute sense of hearing, making them sensitive to ultrasounds. They also maintain a circadian rhythm, and need 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark to function properly.
Lab mice are a good option for laboratory experiments because they are cheap, easily maintained and reproduce quickly.
EXCEPT in the winter. In the winter, mice like to eat and sleep, and don't like to mate or reproduce. They get pudgy and, you know, just don't feel sexy.
Because it's ok to manipulate the mice in ways you can't manipulate people, it's ok to be a little coersive and try to get them to mate. In order to get them in the mood, sometimes, music helps. Magic 106.7, namely, gets them going, makes them more likely to get into the right state of mind for reproduction. "Smooth Operator," all that. Even then, they prefer sleeping and eating.
I left the house in the dark, sat in a dark room and left the dark room back into dark. I slept 11 hours yesterday and ate 2 lunches, and 1.5 dinners. I felt momentarily cuddly after watching a chick flick, but upon reflection dropped into bed to sleep instead. Now I ask you. Are we really really that different?
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