When examining the receptive fields of rabbit ganglion cells, investigators found some that gave a maximal response when a moving spot of light passed in a certain “preferred” direction, while they gave no response at all when the spot passed in the opposite direction; in fact, the spontaneous activity of the cell was usually inhibited by this movement in the “null” direction. It may be assumed that the receptors connected with this type of ganglion cell are organized in a linear fashion, so that the stimulation of one receptor causes inhibition of a receptor adjacent to it. This inhibition would prevent the excitatory effect of light on the adjacent receptor from having a response when the movement was in the null direction, but would arrive too late at the adjacent receptor if the light was moving in the preferred direction.
A-horizontal-cross-section-of-the-human-eye-showing-theA horizontal cross section of the human eye, showing the major parts of the eye, including the …[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Horizontal-section-of-the-eyeFigure 1: Horizontal section of the eye.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Structure-of-the-retinaStructure of the retina
Muscles-of-the-right-eyeMuscles of the right eye
Myopia-or-nearsightedness-can-be-corrected-with-glasses-that-haveMyopia, or nearsightedness, can be corrected with glasses that have concave lenses to allow near …[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Hyperopia-or-farsightedness-can-be-corrected-with-glasses-that-containHyperopia, or farsightedness, can be corrected with glasses that contain convex lenses to reduce …[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Visual-pathwaysVisual pathways
Perimeter-chart-showing-normal-visual-field-figures-on-the-perimeterFigure 2: Perimeter chart showing normal visual field; figures on the perimeter indicate degrees of …[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
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