ISSN:
1432-1106
Keywords:
Retinal ganglion cells
;
Adaptation
;
X-cells/Y-cells
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary On the basis of the spatial summation properties of their receptive fields, cat retinal ganglion cells were classified as either X-cells (linear) or Y-cells (non-linear). Responses were then obtained to a small, centered spot, square-wave modulated in time and superimposed on various levels of diffuse, steady background illumination. When fully dark-adapted, both X-cells and Y-cells produced responses that were entirely sustained. When well lightadapted but still in the scotopic range, both cell types produced largely transient responses with only a very small sustained component. The sustained or transient nature of responses is, therefore, not an invariant characteristic of X-cells and Y-cells in the scotopic range. We also conclude that the mechanism which controls the center's sensitivity in the scotopic range is similar though not identical in the two types of cells.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00235001
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