Structure/function relationships of retinal ganglion cells in the cat

Brain Res. 1984 Apr 16;297(2):381-6. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(84)90580-8.

Abstract

Intracellular recording and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) iontophoresis was used to define structure/function relationships for single retinal ganglion cells in the intact cat eye. Fifteen physiologically characterized cells were labeled as follows. Five W-cells had gamma morphology, 6 X-cells had beta morphology, and 1 Y-cell had alpha morphology, and these relationships support earlier conclusions. However, one cell could not be physiologically classified despite beta morphology, one X-cell was not a beta cell, and one Y-cell was not an alpha cell. Whether these unusual structure/function relationships represent an artifact of methodology or complications to be added to prevailing notions requires further study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Dendrites / ultrastructure
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Evoked Potentials, Visual
  • Horseradish Peroxidase
  • Optic Chiasm / physiology
  • Optic Nerve / physiology
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Retina / physiology*
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / classification
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / physiology*
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / ultrastructure
  • Synaptic Transmission*

Substances

  • Horseradish Peroxidase