Visual Perception: Receptive Fields and Ganglion Cells

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason for more cortical space being dedicated to the central part of the visual field?

The visual system has the highest spatial resolution in the central part. (correct)

The visual field is more sensitive to dark stimuli in the central part.

The receptive fields are larger and more sparse in the central part.

The retinal ganglion cells are more densely packed in the peripheral part.

What happens to the firing rate of ON-center ganglion cells when a dark stimulus disappears?

It decreases rapidly.

It remains unchanged.

It stops firing altogether.

It increases soon after. (correct)

What is the organization of the receptive field in retinal ganglion cells?

Multiple circular areas with random responses.

Two concentric circular areas with opposite and antagonistic responses. (correct)

A single circular area with a uniform response.

Two concentric circular areas with similar responses.

What happens in ON-center cells when the central part of the receptive field is illuminated?

An excitatory response occurs. Signup and view all the answers

What happens in OFF-center cells when the surrounding part of the receptive field is illuminated?

An excitatory response occurs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of simultaneous illumination of the center and surround of the receptive field?

It does not evoke a variation in the discharge frequency. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of human spatial frequency sensitivity when using sinusoidal gratings?

It is highest for frequencies around 5-8 cycles/visual degree. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to human spatial frequency sensitivity for frequencies above 30-50 cycles/visual degree?

It is attenuated. Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of multiplying the profile of the grating stimulus with the profile of the receptive field and integrating over all space?

Calculation of the stimulus strength delivered by a particular grating Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate spatial frequency at which contrast sensitivity declines sharply?

50 cycles per degree Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the periphery of the receptive fields of the retina, geniculate, and cortex?

Inhibitory and antagonistic action Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the visual system's response to spatial frequencies?

Band-pass behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of spatial frequencies to which humans are most sensitive?

4-6 cycles per degree Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the receptive fields of neurons in area V1?

Elongated and responsive to a narrow range of orientations Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the selectivity of neurons in area V1 to distinct orientations?

The first step in the brain's analysis of the shape of an object Signup and view all the answers

What is the classification of neurons in area V1 based on their response properties?

Simple and complex Signup and view all the answers

What is the orientation of the receptive field thought to result from?

The alignment of the center-surround circular receptive fields of different LGN cells Signup and view all the answers

What type of stimuli do simple cells respond well to?

Sinusoidal gratings (Gabor patches) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of complex cells?

They respond similarly to light or dark stimuli in all positions of the receptive field Signup and view all the answers

What type of stimuli do end-stopped cells respond better to?

Linear stimuli of a certain length, or that have an end that does not extend beyond a specific portion of the cell's receptive field Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of end-stopped cells?

To detect angles or curved lines in visual images Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of presenting a long straight line in the ON and OFF regions of an end-stopped cell?

Excitation will be less than inhibition Signup and view all the answers

According to the hierarchical model, what is the origin of simple cell receptive fields?

The convergence of geniculate inputs with receptive fields aligned in the visual space Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of complex receptive fields according to the hierarchical model?

The convergence of simple cells with similar orientation preferences Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential advantage of cortical columns in the brain?

To minimize connection lengths and processing time Signup and view all the answers

Which pathway is responsible for processing stimulus movement information?

Dorsal pathway Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of connectivity between cortical areas?

Reciprocal connection Signup and view all the answers

Where is V4 located in the macaque monkey?

On the prelunate gyrus, in the depths of the lunate and superior temporal sulci, and on the surface of the temporal-occipital gyrus Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between identification and categorization in human vision?

Categorization is easier, while identification is more difficult Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of categorization in human vision?

Labeling distinct objects with the same name Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of categorization in living beings?

To recognize and classify objects Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult for humans to identify objects?

Because it requires a lot of past experience and categorization Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between computer vision and human vision in terms of object recognition?

Computer vision is better at identification, while human vision is better at categorization Signup and view all the answers

How long does it take to detect and classify objects from among tens of thousands of possibilities?

100-200ms Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the nonhuman primate neocortex is devoted to visual processing?

50% Signup and view all the answers

Which visual areas are located in the occipital lobe?

V1, V2, and V4 Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of IT neuron selectivity?

Relative selectivity for complex objects Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of object recognition in the brain?

To recognize and classify objects for survival and daily activities Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of integrating visual features extracted at earlier stages in the visual pathways?

Object recognition Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the temporal lobe in object recognition?

Object recognition and categorization Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Receptive Fields and Visual Processing

The central part of the visual field has smaller and densely packed receptive fields, resulting in higher spatial resolution.
ON-center ganglion cells are excited by light stimuli in the center of the receptive field, while OFF-center ganglion cells are excited by dark stimuli in the center.
The firing rate of ON-center ganglion cells increases when the dark stimulus disappears, and similarly, the discharge rate of OFF-center ganglion cells increases when the light stimulus disappears.
Retinal ganglion cells have a concentric circular organization of receptive fields with opposite and antagonistic responses.
ON-center cells have an excitatory response to central illumination and an inhibitory response to surrounding illumination, while OFF-center cells have the opposite response.

Spatial Frequencies and Visual Sensitivity

Humans have greater sensitivity to spatial frequencies around 5-8 cycles/visual degree, and sensitivity declines for higher and lower frequencies.
The visual system has band-pass behavior, rejecting all but a narrow band of spatial frequencies.
Gratings with a frequency of approximately 5 cycles/degree are the most visible.
The visual system is more sensitive to an intermediate range of spatial frequencies (about 4-6 cycles/degree) and less sensitive to both lower and higher space frequencies.

Neurons in Area V1

Neurons in area V1 are divided into two types: simple and complex.
Simple cells respond to a narrow range of orientations and have elongated receptive fields.
Complex cells are less selective for position and respond similarly to light and dark stimuli in all positions of the receptive field.
Complex cells respond well to linear stimuli of a certain length or with an end that does not extend beyond a specific portion of the cell's receptive field.

Hierarchical Model of Visual Processing

According to the hierarchical model, simple cell receptive fields are constructed from the convergence of geniculate inputs with receptive fields aligned in visual space.
Complex receptive fields arise from the convergence of simple cells with similar orientation preferences.

Cortical Columns and Visual Processing

Cortical columns are thought to minimize connection lengths and processing time, which could be evolutionarily important.
The dorsal and ventral pathways are highly interconnected, sharing information and contributing to object recognition through kinematic cues.

Object Recognition and Categorization

Categorization is the process of treating distinct objects or events equivalently, and is a fundamental function of living beings.
Object recognition involves integration of visual features extracted at earlier stages in the visual pathways, and incorporates information from other sensory modalities and emotional valence.
Area V1, V2, and V4 are located in the occipital lobe, while area TEO and IT are located in the temporal lobe.
IT neurons have relative selectivity for complex objects, which appears somewhat arbitrary.

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Description

Learn about the organization of visual perception, including the structure of receptive fields and the roles of ON-Center and OFF-Center ganglion cells in processing light and dark stimuli.