visual capacities

Question 1

how is the visual cortex laid out

Answer 1

with adjacent genetically determined column of cells which receive an input from the same area of the retina of both eyes

Question 2

what is a critical period

Answer 2

a period of time during early development where the nervous system must obtain specific experiences to develop properly to ensure synapses are strengthened and unstimulated synapses are removed.

Question 3

what is the critical period in visual development

Answer 3

the further visual development after birth were the eye needs to be correctly stimulated by light during this critical development period for the correct synaptic connection to be made

Question 4

what happens when one eye is deprived of light

Answer 4

• the axons from that eye will not be stimulated
• so in the area of the visual context where neurone’s from both eyes overlap, only synapses of axons receiving light will be stimulated to release neurotransmitter
• causing the synapses from the light deprived eye will be weakened and eventually lost

Question 5

what is visual perception

Answer 5

the ability to interpret information from visible light reaching the eye