Retinal Ganglion Cell Functionality

The video tutorial explains how visual processing begins in the retina, where light activates photoreceptors that modulate bipolar cells, which connect to ganglion cells forming the optic nerve. Horizontal and amacrine cells facilitate lateral interactions. The organization of bipolar and ganglion cells defines receptive fields, which are concentric and have antagonistic center-surround structures. The video demonstrates how on-center and off-center ganglion cells respond to light, highlighting the effects of illuminating different parts of the receptive field.

What is the initial step in visual processing within the eye?

• Light striking the optic nerve

• Light entering the eye and reaching the retina

• Light being absorbed by the cornea

• Light being reflected by the lens

Which cells are directly activated by light in the retina?

• Bipolar cells

• Horizontal cells

• Ganglion cells

• Photoreceptors

What is the role of the optic nerve in visual processing?

• To form the receptive fields

• To carry visual information to the brain

• To modulate the activity of photoreceptors

• To provide lateral interactions within the retina

How are bipolar and ganglion cells organized in the retina?

• In a linear fashion

• In a random pattern

• To respond to small circular patches of the retina

• To form a single large receptive field

What defines the receptive field of a retinal ganglion cell?

• A linear strip of the retina

• A random area of the retina

• A small circular patch of the retina

• The entire retina

What are the two basic types of receptive fields in retinal ganglion cells?

• Central and peripheral

• On-center off-surround and off-center on-surround

• Horizontal and vertical

• Linear and circular

How do the center and surround of a receptive field interact?

• They cancel each other's activity

• They are independent of each other

• They enhance each other's activity

• They have no interaction

What happens to an on-center ganglion cell when light falls on its center?

• The cell's activity decreases

• The cell's activity remains unchanged

• The cell's activity increases

• The cell becomes inactive

What is the effect of illuminating only the surround of an on-center ganglion cell?

• The cell is maximally excited

• The cell is maximally inhibited

• The cell's activity remains unchanged

• The cell becomes hyperactive

What occurs when both the center and surround of a receptive field are illuminated?

• The response is below baseline

• The response is just above baseline

• The response is minimized

• The response is maximized