Structure of the Visual System Flashcards
What is the stimulus for vision?
Light
Light can be characterised by two different measures. What are they?
Wavelength and intensity
What range of nanometres does the visible light spectrum fall into?
Between 400 to 700 nanometers
As the intensity of light increases, what happens?
The number of photons per seconds increases
The spatial distribution of light (optic array) is determined by which two factors?
Sources of light (The sun)
Reflectors of light (Visible objects)
What happens at the Optic Chiasm?
Decussation. This is where the optic nerves fibres split to make sure the left half of the world goes to the right side of the brain and the right side of the world goes to the left side of the brain.
Describe the base function of the visual system
It converts a structured pattern of light (imaged on the retina) to a perception of a solid three-dimensional world
What is pigment epithelium used for?
It is a black sticky substance at the back of the eye used to stop light bouncing around.
Name the two photoreceptors
Rods and Cones
Where does the electrical signal go after the Rods and Cones
To the Bipolar Cells
Where does the electrical signal go after the bipolar cells
To the Ganglion Cells
What do the axons of the ganglion cells form
The Optic Nerve
What are the Horizontal cells and Amacrine cells used for?
Horizontal cells help shape the ganglion cell receptive fields by modifying the synapse signal between photoreceptors and bipolar cells
Amacrine cells help shape the ganglion cell receptive field by modifying the synapse signal between bipolar cells and ganglion cells.
State the chief proprietor and define the receptive field
Chief proprieter - Goldstein
Definition - The region of retina that, when stimulated, influences the firing rate of the neurone
What is phototransduction and how does it work?
When photoreceptors (rods and cones) turn light into electricity
Photons of light are absorbed by visual pigment molecules