Nerve impulses from single receptors in the eye

Abstract

Recent studies in sensory physiology have provided a new approach to the problem of the mechanism of sense organs. The discharge of nerve impulses in the afferent fibers from various receptors has been studied in preparations in which the activity can be limited to a single end organ and its attached nerve fiber. The more complete analysis characteristic of this approach is best exemplified in the work done on tension, touch, and pressure receptors (Adrian, '26; Adrian and Zotterman, '26 ; Bronk, '29 ; Matthews, '31 ; Adrian, Cattell, and Hoagland, '31; Adrian and Umrath, '29; Bronk and Stella, '32). In the case of these relatively simple end organs

The Response of Single Visual Sense Cells to Lights of Different Wave Lengths

“…In accordance with established usage the reciprocal of the energy at a given wave length necessary to produce a constant response is defined as the visibility at that wave length (Hecht and Williams, 1922). Thus in Fig.…”

“…The response of the single receptor cell in the eye of Limulus, in terms of impulses discharged in its attached nerve fiber, has been described in two previous publications (Hartline and Graham, 1932;Hartline, 1934). When stimulating lights of different wave lengths but of approximately equal energy content are used it is found that the response to green light is stronger than the response to either red or violet; i.e., the latent period is shorter, the initial and maximum frequency is higher and, for short flashes, the total number of impulses is larger; with prolonged exposure the final level of frequency is higher.…”

“…RESPONSE O]~ SINGLE VISUAL SENSE CELLS TO LIGHT exposure have been described in a recent paper by one of us (Hartline, 1934). In the present experiments a condition of complete dark adaptation is maintained and the temperature is controlled to within :k0.2°C.…”

“…in thickness) to remove the near infrared (cf. Hecht, 1928). While the Wratten filters do not yield strictly monochromatic light their transmission bands are narrow enough for the present purpose, and they have been used by other workers for a similar purpose (Hecht, 1928;Grundfest, 1932 b;Crozier, 1924).…”

“…Hecht, 1928). While the Wratten filters do not yield strictly monochromatic light their transmission bands are narrow enough for the present purpose, and they have been used by other workers for a similar purpose (Hecht, 1928;Grundfest, 1932 b;Crozier, 1924). The transmission spectrum of each filter was corrected for the transmission of the CuCh solution and the central wave length of this band was determined for each filter by the method described by Hecht (1928).…”