Week 6 - Modelling the dynamic visual system

Question 1

What is the ventral pathway?

Answer 1

The system that takes signals from the retina, passes it through to the LGM

Question 2

What is unique about the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum

Answer 2

Its the only part of the electromagnetic spectrum thats not absorbed by water
Suggests life is tuned by the physical world
Also, the radiation of the sun peaks in the visible range

Question 3

What is a centre surround receptive field:

Answer 3

A centre-surround receptive field consists of two regions:

Centre – A small central region that is either excitatory or inhibitory.
Surround – A larger surrounding region that has the opposite effect to the centre.
There are two main types:

ON-centre, OFF-surround: The neuron is excited by light in the centre and inhibited by light in the surround.
OFF-centre, ON-surround: The neuron is inhibited by light in the centre and excited by light in the surround.
Function:
Enhances contrast and edge detection by emphasizing differences in brightness rather than absolute light levels.