What is some evidence that the eye is the dominant sense?
About one-third of the human cerebral cortex is devoted to visual analysis.
Describe the function and distribution of rods and cones in the eye.
Cones:
Rods:
(Just remember: CCC)
Draw the histological structure of the retina.
What are the two main types of modulator cells in the retina? Describe the position of each.
Describe the different classes of interneuron in the retina.
What are the output neurons in the retina called (i.e. those going out from the retina as the optic nerve)?
Ganglion cells
Aside from neurons, what are some other cell types in the retina?
What is the function of horizontal cells in the retina?
Horizontal cells provide inhibitory feedback to rod and cone photoreceptors.
What is the function of amacrine cells in the retina?
What is the function of Muller glial cells?
Maintain the structural and functional stability of retinal cells:
Summarise the basic circuitry of the retina.
What are the two types of bipolar cells? How do they work?
ON bipolar cells:
OFF bipolar cells:
It is worth noting that the photoreceptors all release glutamate, it is just the way the bipolar cells respond to it that differs (different receptors?)
What are the two types of ganglion cells (in terms of morphology)?
Note that each of these can be either ON or OFF-centre cells.
Compare magnocellular and parvocellular ganglion cells in the retina.
Magnocellular:
Parvocellular:
In other words, magnocellular cells are useful for detecting movement, while parvocellular are useful for detecting colour, texture and depth.
Give some examples of retinal disease.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
What is macular degeneration?
[IMPORTANT]
What vessel supplies blood to the retina?
What cells are involved in the generation of centre-surround receptive fields in the retina? How?
[IMPORTANT]
What neurotransmitter do photoreceptors release?
[IMPORTANT]
phototransduction leads to modulation of glutamate release from terminal
What is phototransduction?
The process through which photons are converted into electrical signals in photoreceptors.
How does phototransduction in photoreceptors work?
[IMPORTANT]
Light causes HYPERPOLARISATION of the photoreceptors:
This enables large and adjustable amplification.
What is dark current?
[IMPORTANT]
What are the main photopigments found in rods and cones of the retina?
[IMPORTANT]