Neurophysiology Flashcards
Thickness of the retina
0.2-0.5mm
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Information is transmitted from photoreceptors to bipolar cells to ganglion cells
Lateral flow
Horizontal and amacrine cell integration
feedback
Information from ganglion cells is transmitted back to the photoreceptors via interplexiform cells
Extracellular recording
Studies cells that respond with action potentials (amacrine and ganglion) by inserting an electrode in the retina near the cell without penetrating it
Intracellular recording
Studies cells that respond with graded potentials (photoreceptors, bipolar cells, horizontal cells) by inserting a microelectrode into the cells and recording the change in electrical response
Resting membrane potential of photoreceptors (and why)
-50mV due to potassium diffusing out, sodium diffusing in, and additional sodium channels (CNG channels) for influx at the outer segments
Relative depolarization
Relative excitation, the state of photoreceptors in the dark
G-protein coupled receptors
Membrane proteins characterized by seven transmembrane domains or subunits
Isomerization
The process of absorbing light and undergoing a conformational change from 11-cis to all-trans that triggers phototransduction
Transducin
A g-protein that interacts with photopigments
cGMP purpose
Accumulation at sodium channels in outer segment keeps them partially open
Phosphodiesterase
Released from transducin and cleaves clusters of cGMP ultimately causing hyperpolarization of the cell
On-center bipolar cells
Respond with excitation when light falls on the center and inhibition when light falls on the surround
Glutamates effect on on-center bipolar cells
Inhibitory effect, when light shines, glutamate production decreases and bipolar cell becomes relatively excited
Glutamates effect on off-center bipolar cells
Excitatory
Spatial antagonism
When light exposure elicits opposite responses depending upon whether it falls in the receptive field center or periphery
Invaginating synapse
Formed by on-center bipolar cells with photoreceptors
Conventional flat synapse
Formed by off-center bipolar cells and photoreceptors
Synapse in inner layer of IPL
On-center bipolar cells and ganglion cells
Synapse in outer layer of IPL
Off-center bipolar cells and ganglion cells