Respiratory System Control in Amphibians: Mechanisms of Neural Plasticity and the Effects of Chronic Environmental Disturbances

在一个气候无疑正在变化的世界里，了解环境的变化如何影响生物系统至关重要，其范围从整个人群的行为到调节身体功能的复杂生理控制系统。变化的环境（气候）条件可以包括诸如温度变化（即，全球变暖）、水的可用性（即，干旱和洪水），氧气水平降低（水体中导致“鱼类死亡”）和二氧化碳（一种温室气体）水平增加。任何或所有这些因素的变化都可能对动物和人类的生理、行为和生活质量产生许多不利影响。该提案中概述的研究将使用各种神经生理学和呼吸生理学技术来研究不断变化的环境条件如何损害或破坏两栖动物的呼吸，以及不断变化的条件如何影响调节呼吸的众多生理系统。这项研究还将研究大脑中的各种神经化学物质如何应对不断变化的环境条件，以减少基本生理功能中可能危及生命的变化。从两栖动物数量的减少可以看出，它们非常容易受到气候变化的影响，并且已经受到栖息地破坏和气温上升的困扰。鉴于此，本提案中的研究将在理解不断变化的环境如何影响关键生理系统方面具有重要的预测价值，并将告知重要的神经化学物质如何有助于缓解可能影响个人和群体生存的生理扰动。这些知识对于了解基本的生理过程以及科学界和政策制定者就有关全球气候变化及其对动物自然种群的影响的问题做出基于证据的合理决定至关重要。

In a World where the climate is undoubtedly changing, it is of critical importance to understand how an altered environment affects biological systems ranging in scope from the behaviour of entire populations to the intricate physiological control systems that regulate bodily function. Changing environmental (climatic) conditions can include phenomenon such as alterations in temperature (i.e., global warming), water availability (i.e., droughts and flooding), reduced oxygen levels (in bodies of water leading to "fish kills") and increased carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) levels. Changes in any or all of these factors can have numerous detrimental effects on the physiology, behaviour and quality of life of animals and humans alike. The research outlined in this proposal will use a variety of neurophysiology and respiratory physiology techniques to examine how changing environmental conditions compromise or disrupt breathing in amphibians as well as how changing conditions can influence the numerous physiological systems that regulate breathing. This research will also examine how various neurochemicals in the brain respond to changing environmental conditions in order to reduce potentially life-threatening changes in essential physiological function. As evident from their decreasing populations, amphibians are highly vulnerable to climate change and are already under siege from habitat destruction and rising temperatures. Given this, the research in this proposal will be of important predictive value in understanding how a changing environment affects critical physiological systems and will inform how important neurochemicals may help to alleviate physiological perturbations that could affect the survival of individuals and populations. Such knowledge is critical in order to understand basic physiological processes as well as to allow the scientific community and policy makers to make sound evidence-based decisions on issues pertaining to global climate change and its effects on natural populations of animals.