Chapter 4 Flashcards
visual pathway to the brain
retina (PNS) -> optic nerve (PNS) -> optic chiasm (CNS) -> lateral geniculate nucleus <-> occipital lobe
lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN)
located in the thalamus
receives info from both retina and striate cortex
holds on visual info about receptive fields
where do 90% of light information go? what about the other 10%?
90% goes to LGN
10% goes to superior colliculus
what does the superior colliculus do?
controls eye movement
what parts in the brain does the LGN receive feedback from
striate cortex (then transmits info to dorsal and ventral streams)
other names for striate cortex
V1
primary receiving area
primary visual cortex
striate cortex
where visual info from receptive fields continue to be processed
receptive fields not organized as center-surround like retina and LGN
simple cortical cells
aka feature detectors (simple, complex, and end stopped)
side-by-side receptive fields of neurons in striate cortex
simple cells
type of feature detector
firing occurs based on non-moving stimulus presented in a specific direction through a side-by-side receptive field
complex cells
type of feature detectors
firing occurs based on moving stimulus in a specific direction where neurons produce electrical signals
detect movement but NOT what it is
end stopped cells
type of feature detectors
firing occurs based on certain moving corners, angles, and length of stimulus where neurons produce electrical signals
detect movement AND what it is
selective adaptation
exposure to a certain feature for a SHORT period of time DECREASES firing in the cortical neurons for that feature
why do neurons decrease in firing for selective adaptation?
adaptation (getting used to specific feature; firing fades for a feature that is presented repeatedly for a short while)
short term effect – adaptation occurs for a few minutes but goes away
Ex: contrast threshold (difference in light intensity)
selective rearing
exposure to a certain feature for a LONG period of time INCREASES firing in the cortical neurons
why do neurons increase in firing for selective rearing?
neural plasticity/experience-dependent plasticity (neurons can be shaped to respond in a certain way)
long term effect – neurons continue to actively respond to orientation for weeks and days
spatial organization
how the environmental stimulus is processed in specific locations of the brain
spatial = location (up, down, left, right)
image of stimulus (represented spatially in the striate cortex through electrical signals)
