You continue to record the spikes of a ganglion cell. Even in total darkness, there is some nonzero rate of spiking (sometimes called “spontaneous” spiking). When you shine light at a particular point (let’s call it Q) in the retina, the rate of spiking goes down. Point Q is
1. the receptive field of the cell
2. inside the receptive field of the cell
3. outside the receptive field of the cell
To determine whether point Q is inside, outside, or the receptive field of the cell when the spiking rate goes down, you need to understand the concept of receptive fields and how they relate to the ganglion cell's response to light.
1. The receptive field of a ganglion cell refers to the specific area of the retina that, when stimulated, leads to a response (spiking) from that cell. It is the region in which the ganglion cell is most sensitive to light or visual stimuli.
To determine if point Q is the receptive field of the cell:
- Use techniques like electrophysiology or light stimulation to identify the receptive field boundaries of the ganglion cell.
- Record the spiking activity of the ganglion cell both in total darkness and when shining light at different points in the retina.
- Analyze the spiking rate at different locations to determine if point Q falls within the receptive field where light stimulation decreases spiking rates. If the spiking rate decreases when light is shined at point Q, then it is likely inside or part of the receptive field.
2. If the spiking rate decreases when light is shined specifically on point Q, this suggests that point Q is inside the receptive field of the cell. The decreased spiking rate indicates that the ganglion cell is responding to the light at that specific point within its receptive field.
3. If the spiking rate does not decrease when light is shined on point Q but decreases when light is directed towards other locations on the retina, then point Q is likely outside the receptive field of the cell. This implies that the ganglion cell is not highly responsive to the light at point Q.
Overall, the only way to definitively determine whether point Q is inside, outside, or the receptive field of the cell is through experimental investigation and analysis of the ganglion cell's spiking activity in response to light stimulation.