Retina Structure and Function Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Primate eyes have specialized structures for good daylight vision and are able to discriminate ______ and fine details.

color

Rods are generally used for ______ vision, while cones are used for daylight, bright-colored vision.

low-light

The fovea is a tremendously ______-rich spot that is devoid of rods where images focus.

cone

Most fish, frog, turtle, and bird retinas have three to five types of ______, contributing to excellent color vision.

<p>cones</p> Signup and view all the answers

Light rays must pass through the entire retina before reaching pigment molecules to excite the ______.

<p>photoreceptors</p> Signup and view all the answers

The peripheral parts of the retina are sensitive and can detect the slightest glimmer of ______ at night.

<p>photons</p> Signup and view all the answers

Primates have what is called a duplex retina, allowing good visual discrimination in all ______ conditions.

<p>lighting</p> Signup and view all the answers

The retina is a filmy piece of tissue, barely half a millimeter thick, that lines the inside of the ______.

<p>eyeball</p> Signup and view all the answers

The tissue develops from a pouch of the embryonic ______, and the retina is therefore considered part of the brain.

<p>forebrain</p> Signup and view all the answers

Retinal molecules change their conformation in response to ______, or packets of light.

<p>photons</p> Signup and view all the answers

The pigment granules in the retina are full of ______, which help absorb stray photons.

<p>melanin</p> Signup and view all the answers

Many mammalian retinas have a preponderance of ______ which are more sensitive to light than cones.

<p>rods</p> Signup and view all the answers

Nonmammals like turtles have a long, horizontal strip of specialized cells called a visual ______.

<p>streak</p> Signup and view all the answers

Photoreceptors transmit information to ______ cells using the molecule glutamate.

<p>bipolar</p> Signup and view all the answers

Some bipolar cells fire in response to glutamate, whereas others ______ firing.

<p>cease</p> Signup and view all the answers

ON bipolar cells have a ______ receptive field.

<p>depolarizing</p> Signup and view all the answers

ON-center ganglion cells are activated when a spot of light falls in the center of their ______.

<p>receptive field</p> Signup and view all the answers

Photoreceptors stop releasing glutamate when stimulated by ______.

<p>light</p> Signup and view all the answers

OFF-center ganglion cells react in the opposite way: Their activity increases when the periphery of their ______ is lit.

<p>receptive field</p> Signup and view all the answers

The inner plexiform layer contains about 22 or more different types of ______ cells.

<p>amacrine</p> Signup and view all the answers

When light falls on the center of the field, the activity of OFF-center ganglion cells ______.

<p>decreases</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cajal divided the inner plexiform layer into ______ strata.

<p>five</p> Signup and view all the answers

ON-center ganglion cells are ______ when light falls on the field’s periphery.

<p>inactivated</p> Signup and view all the answers

The major output of the retina to the visual centers in the brain comes from two types of ______ cells.

<p>ganglion</p> Signup and view all the answers

Horizontal cells modulate the responses of photoreceptors and ______ cells.

<p>bipolar</p> Signup and view all the answers

This system is polarized into two types: ON center and ______ center ganglion cells.

<p>OFF</p> Signup and view all the answers

The visual response is derived from the distinct behavior of ON-center and OFF-center ______ cells.

<p>ganglion</p> Signup and view all the answers

Both types of ganglion cells contribute to the brain's processing of ______ information.

<p>visual</p> Signup and view all the answers

A previously unknown ______ cell type appears to function as a giant photoreceptor itself.

<p>ganglion</p> Signup and view all the answers

This ganglion’s cell membrane contains light-reactive molecules known as ______.

<p>melanopsins</p> Signup and view all the answers

Many amacrine cells are electrically coupled by ______, creating a massive sheet of cells.

<p>gap junctions</p> Signup and view all the answers

The substances include peptides and the more familiar ______.

<p>biomolecules</p> Signup and view all the answers

The effective field of influence of the AII cells makes them significant in ______ conditions.

<p>lighter</p> Signup and view all the answers

Another wide-field amacrine cell releases ______ in bright light conditions.

<p>substances</p> Signup and view all the answers

The rod-system amacrine cells have less significance in ______ conditions.

<p>lighter</p> Signup and view all the answers

The mechanisms in the retina suggest that there may still be much more to ______.

<p>learn</p> Signup and view all the answers

Serotonin, dopamine, and ______ are neurotransmitters discussed in retinal circuitry.

<p>acetylcholine</p> Signup and view all the answers

______ cells are identified as releasing neuro-modulators.

<p>Amacrine</p> Signup and view all the answers

The release of neurotransmitters is thought to influence neurons even at a distance by ______.

<p>diffusion</p> Signup and view all the answers

The retina is remarkably complex and plays an active role in ______.

<p>perception</p> Signup and view all the answers

Peptides, nicotine, and muscarine are examples of receptors found on ______ cells.

<p>ganglion</p> Signup and view all the answers

The large-field rod pathway influences the narrow-field ______ pathways.

<p>cone</p> Signup and view all the answers

Neuro-modulators are not active at conventional ______.

<p>synapses</p> Signup and view all the answers

Vision research indicates that the retina is involved in an increasingly active role in the ______ system.

<p>visual</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Retina

A thin layer of tissue lining the inside of the eyeball, responsible for converting light into signals the brain can understand.

Cones

Specialized cells in the retina that detect different wavelengths of light, enabling color vision.

Rods

Specialized cells in the retina that are highly sensitive to low light, enabling vision in dim conditions.

Pigment Epithelium

A layer of cells behind the retina that absorbs excess light and prevents reflections, enhancing visual clarity.

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Area Centralis

A specialized area in the retina of some animals, including cats and dogs, where cones are concentrated, enhancing visual acuity.

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Visual Streak

A long, horizontal strip of specialized cells in the retina of some animals, enabling detection of fast movements, ideal for spotting predators.

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Phototransduction

The process by which light particles trigger changes in the retinal molecules, eventually leading to the generation of a signal sent to the brain.

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Retina's Three-Layer Structure

The arrangement of nerve cells in the retina, with three layers separated by synaptic connections, creating a complex neural network for processing visual information.

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Photoreceptors

Specialized cells in the retina that are responsible for detecting light.

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Fovea

The central part of the retina, rich in cones, that provides sharp, detailed central vision.

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Duplex Retina

A type of retina found in primates that allows for good visual discrimination in all lighting conditions by having both rods and cones.

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Binocular Vision

The ability to perceive depth by using both eyes.

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Fovea

The specialized area in the eye that allows for good daylight vision and the ability to discriminate color and fine details.

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Ganglion cells

Specialized nerve cells in the retina that transmit visual information to the brain.

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ON-center and OFF-center ganglion cells

Two types of ganglion cells in the retina with opposite responses to light.

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Receptive field

The area of the retina that a particular ganglion cell responds to.

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ON-center ganglion cell

A ganglion cell that is activated when light shines in the center of its receptive field and inhibited when light shines in the periphery.

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OFF-center ganglion cell

A ganglion cell that is inhibited when light shines in the center of its receptive field and activated when light shines in the periphery.

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Edge detection

The ability of ON-center and OFF-center ganglion cells to detect the presence of light and dark edges in the visual scene.

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Brightness contrast

The differences in light intensity that create our perception of brightness and contrast.

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Contrast sensitivity

How ON-center and OFF-center ganglion cells help us recognize differences in brightness, leading to our perception of edges and shapes.

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ON Bipolar Cell

A type of bipolar cell in the retina that is excited by light and releases glutamate.

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OFF Bipolar Cell

A type of bipolar cell in the retina that is inhibited by light and stops releasing glutamate.

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Glutamate

The chemical messenger used by photoreceptors to communicate with bipolar cells. Its release is inhibited by light.

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Inner Plexiform Layer

The specialized layer in the retina where amacrine cells form connections with ganglion cells and bipolar cells. It's like a busy intersection where visual information is processed before being sent to the brain.

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Amacrine Cells

Specialized neurons in the retina that connect with bipolar and ganglion cells, contributing to complex visual processing such as motion detection. There are over 20 types of these cells, each with its unique role.

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Hyperpolarization

The process of a neuron becoming more negative in charge, reducing its likelihood of firing an electrical signal.

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Depolarization

The process of a neuron becoming more positive in charge, increasing its likelihood of firing an electrical signal.

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Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers involved in transmitting signals between neurons in the brain and body.

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Serotonin

A specific type of neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in mood, appetite, sleep and learning.

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Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with reward, motivation, and pleasure.

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Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter involved in muscle movement, memory and learning.

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Adenosine

A type of neurotransmitter that helps with relaxation and sleep.

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Nitric Oxide

A signaling molecule in the nervous system important for blood vessel dilation and other functions.

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Neuro-modulation

The process of releasing neurotransmitters by amacrine cells to influence other neurons.

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Melanopsin-containing ganglion cell

A type of retinal cell that specializes in detecting light and sending signals to other cells in the retina. It is unique as it doesn't receive input from other light-sensitive cells, like rods and cones.

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Melanopsins

Molecules found inside the cell membrane of melanopsin-containing ganglion cells that react to light, making these cells directly sensitive to light.

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Gap junction

A special kind of junction between cells that allows for fast and synchronized communication, like a group of people talking at the same time.

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Electrical coupling

The ability to quickly and in unison transmit information across a group of cells connected by gap junctions.

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Neuromodulators

Chemicals that allow cells to communicate with each other. They can be either neurotransmitters or neuromodulators.

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Neuromodulators

Chemicals used for cell signaling, differing from neurotransmitters but contributing to regulating cellular activity.

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Study Notes

Retina Structure and Function

  • The retina is a thin tissue lining the inside of the eyeball, considered part of the brain
  • It's a three-layered structure with nerve cells arranged in rows, separated by synaptic layers
  • It contains sensory neurons for light and complex neural circuits for initial image processing
  • Image information travels down the optic nerve to the brain for further processing

Photoreceptor Structure and Function

  • Photoreceptors (rods and cones) are located at the back of the retina
  • Light must pass through the entire retina to reach photoreceptor pigment molecules
  • Pigment epithelium is important because it contains retinal, a molecule crucial in vision
  • Retinal changes conformation in response to light, which is then recycled back into the pigment epithelium
  • Melanin granules absorb stray light, preventing image blurring

Design Variations Based on Lifestyle

  • Vertebrate eyes contain rods and cones, serving respectively for low-light and daylight/color vision
  • Adaptations vary among species based on their environmental needs and lifestyles
  • Rod-dominant retinas are common in nocturnal animals, providing sensitivity in dim light
  • Cones are prevalent in animals active in bright light, enabling color vision in detail
  • Primates have a duplex retina, balancing color and night vision

Retina Processing

  • The retina processes images by separating parts, a step before conveying the information to the brain
  • ON and OFF pathways are fundamental to seeing, processing contrast between images and backgrounds
  • Horizontal cells process signals from many cones to enhance image details to the bipolar cells
  • Amacrine cells further process the information, which leads to clearer boundaries and edges
  • Rods and cones rely on different pathways for processing signals, impacting the response time to changes

Amacrine Cells

  • Amacrine cells process information in the inner plexiform layer
  • They are divided into those containing glycine and those containing GABA
  • Amacrine cells help in enhancing image details
  • Rod-based visual systems rely on amacrine cells and are critical for dim light conditions
  • These cells modulate vision based on lighting conditions

Ganglion Cells

  • The ganglion cells receive information from bipolar cells
  • Two main types of ganglion cells are ON-center and OFF-center, and they transmit messages via electrical signaling.
  • Both types of cells have a central receptive region.
  • Ganglion cells are crucial for encoding the visual information to be sent to the brain.

Specialized Visual Regions

  • The fovea, a highly concentrated cone region in the primate retina, is optimized for sharp central vision and detail
  • Specialized visual streaks are found in some animals' retinas, allowing for the detection of fast-moving objects.

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Related Documents

How the Retina Works PDF

Description

Test your knowledge on the structure and function of the retina, including photoreceptors and neural circuits. Explore the role of sensory neurons in processing visual information and how design variations affect vision. This quiz dives deep into the complexities of the eye's anatomy.

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