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Lecture Material is adapted from © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Human Anatomy and Physiology Dr. Henrik Pallos THE SPECIAL SENSES Special Senses • Special sensory receptors – Distinct, localized receptor cells in head • • • • • Vision Taste Smell Hearing Equilibrium © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. The Eye and Vision • 70% of body's sensory receptors in eye • Visual processing by nearly half cerebral cortex – Primary visual cortex – Visual association area • Most of eye protected by cushion of fat and bony orbit © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Accessory Structures of the Eye • Protect the eye and aid eye function 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Eyebrows Eyelids (palpebrae) Conjunctiva Lacrimal apparatus Extrinsic eye muscles © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. The eye and accessory structures. My wife’s epicanthic fold Eyebrow Eyelid (palpebrae) Eyelashes Site where conjunctiva merges with cornea Palpebral fissure Lateral commissure Iris Eyelid Pupil Lacrimal Medial Sclera (covered by caruncle commissure conjunctiva) Surface anatomy of the right eye © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Eyebrows • Overlie supraorbital margins • Function 1. Shade eye from sunlight 2. Prevent perspiration from reaching eye © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Eyelids • Protect eye anteriorly • Separated at palpebral fissure • Meet at medial and lateral commissures • Lacrimal caruncle – At medial commissure – Contains oil and sweat glands • Tarsal plates— supporting connective tissue © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Eyelid Muscles • Levator palpebrae superioris – Gives upper eyelid mobility • Raises eyelid to to open eye • Blink reflexively every 3-7 seconds – Protection – Spread secretions to moisten eye • (Orbicularis oculi) – Closes eye when contracts © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Eyelids • Eyelashes – Nerve endings of follicles initiate reflex blinking • Lubricating glands associated with eyelids 1. Tarsal (Meibomian) glands • Modified sebaceous glands • Oily secretion lubricates lid and eye 2. Ciliary glands between hair follicles • Modified sweat glands © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. The eye and accessory structures. Levator palpebrae superioris muscle Orbicularis oculi muscle Eyebrow Tarsal plate Palpebral conjunctiva Tarsal glands Cornea Palpebral fissure Eyelashes Bulbar conjunctiva Conjunctival sac Orbicularis oculi muscle Lateral view; some structures shown in sagittal section © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. © McGraw Hill Anatomy and Physiology Conjunctiva • Transparent mucous membrane – Produces a lubricating mucous secretion 1. Palpebral conjunctiva lines eyelids 2. Bulbar conjunctiva covers white of eyes Conjunctival sac between palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva - Where contact lens rests © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Lacrimal Apparatus • Lacrimal gland and ducts that drain into nasal cavity • Lacrimal gland in orbit above lateral end of eye • Lacrimal secretion (tears) – 1ml/day – Dilute saline solution containing mucus, antibodies, and lysozyme: • cleanses and protects the eye surface as it lubricates it – Blinking spreads tears toward medial commissure • Tears enter paired lacrimal canaliculi via lacrimal puncta • Then drain into lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct • Taste of eye drops – Lacrimal secretion increases: • Eyes are irritated (washes away irritant) • Emotional (Why we have, we do not know.) © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. The lacrimal apparatus. Lacrimal sac Lacrimal gland Excretory ducts of lacrimal glands Lacrimal punctum Lacrimal canaliculus Nasolacrimal duct Inferior meatus of nasal cavity Nostril © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Homeostatic imbalance • Nasal cavity mucosa is continuous with lacrimal duct system • Cold/nasal inflammation: swelling of lacrimal mucosa • Constriction of nasolacrimal duct • No tear draining • Watery eyes © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Extrinsic Eye Muscles • 6 straplike extrinsic eye muscles – Originate from bony orbit; insert on eyeball 1. enable eye to follow moving objects 2. maintain shape of eyeball 3. hold in orbit • 4 rectus muscles originate from common tendinous ring; names indicate movements – Superior, inferior, lateral, medial rectus muscles • 2 oblique muscles move eye in vertical plane and rotate eyeball – Superior and inferior oblique muscles © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. H test http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1189759-overview Extrinsic eye muscles. Trochlea Superior oblique muscle (CN 4) Superior oblique tendon Superior rectus muscle (CN 3) Axis of rotation of eye Inferior rectus muscle (CN 3) Medial rectus muscle (CN 3) Lateral rectus muscle ( CN 6) Common tendinous ring Superior view of the right eye © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Extrinsic eye muscles. Superior oblique muscle Superior oblique tendon Superior rectus muscle Lateral rectus muscle Inferior Inferior oblique rectus muscle muscle (CN 3) Lateral view of the right eye © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Extrinsic eye muscles. Muscle Action Controlling cranial nerve Lateral rectus Moves eye laterally VI (abducens) Medial rectus Superior rectus Inferior rectus Moves eye medially III (oculomotor) Elevates eye and turns it medially III (oculomotor) Depresses eye and turns it medially III (oculomotor) Elevates eye and turns it laterally III (oculomotor) Depresses eye and turns it laterally IV (trochlear) Inferior oblique Superior oblique Summary of muscle actions and innervating cranial nerves © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Homeostatic imbalances • Movements of external muscles of the two eyes are not perfectly coordinated • Image is not properly focused on the same area of the visual field in each eye • Two images are seen instead of one © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. • Diplopia: double vision – paralysis, weakened muscle, temporary consequences of alcohol • Strabismus (cross-eyed) – Congenital weakness of muscle – Affected eye rotates medially or laterally • The eyes may alternate to focus and compensate • Or disregard deviant eye: functional blindness • Exercising muscle, surgery http://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/100 Structure of the Eyeball • Wall of eyeball contains 3 layers • Internal cavity filled with fluids called humors • Lens separates internal cavity into 1. anterior segment 2. posterior segment (cavities) © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Structure of the Eyeball • Wall of eyeball contains 3 layers 1. Fibrous 1. 2. Sclera Cornea 2. Vascular 1. 2. 3. Choroid Ciliary body Iris 3. Inner (Retina) 1. 2. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Pigmental layer Neural layer Internal structure of the eye (sagittal section). Ora serrata Ciliary body Sclera Ciliary zonule (suspensory ligament) Choroid Cornea Iris Pupil Anterior pole Anterior segment (contains aqueous humor) Lens Scleral venous sinus Posterior segment (contains vitreous humor) Retina Macula lutea Fovea centralis Posterior pole Optic nerve Central artery and vein of the retina Optic disc (blind spot) Diagrammatic view. The vitreous humor is illustrated only in the bottom part of the eyeball. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Internal structure of the eye (sagittal section). Ciliary body Ciliary processes Vitreous humor in posterior segment Iris Margin of pupil Anterior segment Lens Cornea Ciliary zonule (suspensory ligament) Retina Choroid Sclera Fovea centralis Optic disc Optic nerve Photograph of the human eye. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Fibrous Layer • Outermost layer • Dense avascular connective tissue • Two regions: sclera and cornea 1. Sclera – Opaque posterior region – Protects, shapes eyeball – Anchors extrinsic eye muscles – Continuous with dura mater of brain posteriorly © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Fibrous Layer 2. Cornea – Transparent anterior 1/6 of fibrous layer – Bends light as it enters eye – Numerous pain receptors contribute to blinking and tearing reflexes – Transplantation • Avascular • One person to another with minimal risk of rejection © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Vascular Layer (Uvea) • Middle pigmented layer • 3 regions: choroid, ciliary body, and iris 1. Choroid region – Posterior portion of uvea – Supplies blood to all layers of eyeball – Brown pigment absorbs light to prevent light scattering and visual confusion © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Vascular Layer 2. Ciliary body – Ring of tissue surrounding lens – Smooth muscle bundles (ciliary muscles) control lens shape – Capillaries of ciliary processes secrete fluid – Ciliary zonule (suspensory ligament) holds lens in position © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Vascular Layer 3. Iris • Colored part of eye • 2 smooth muscle layers + elastic fibers • Random pattern before birth • Pupil central opening that regulates amount of light entering eye • Color of iris: only brown pigment • Lot of pigment: brown/black • Small amount: blue, green, gray • Unpigmented area scatter shorter wavelengths light © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. 1. Close vision and bright light sphincter pupillae (circular muscles) contract; pupils constrict parasympathetic fibers 2. Distant vision and dim light dilator pupillae (radial muscles) contract; pupils dilate – sympathetic fibers 3. Changes in emotional state pupils dilate when subject matter is appealing such as in your eyes during Anatomy and Physiology lecture ;-) © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Inner Layer: Retina • Originates as outpocketing of brain • Delicate 2-layered membrane 1. Outer Pigmented layer • Single-cell-thick lining 1. Absorbs light and prevents its scattering 2. Phagocytize photoreceptor cell fragments 3. Stores vitamin A © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Microscopic anatomy of the retina. Neural layer of retina Pigmented layer of retina Choroid Pathway of light Sclera Optic disc (blind spot) Central artery and vein of retina Optic nerve Posterior aspect of the eyeball © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Inner Layer: Retina 2. Inner Neural layer – Transparent – Composed of 3 main types of neurons 1. Photoreceptors 2. Bipolar cells 3. Ganglion cells – Signals spread from photoreceptors to bipolar cells to ganglion cells – Ganglion cell axons exit eye as optic nerve © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Microscopic anatomy of the retina. Neural layer of retina Pigmented layer of retina Choroid Pathway of light Sclera Optic disc (blind spot) Central artery and vein of retina Optic nerve Posterior aspect of the eyeball © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. The Retina • Optic disc (blind spot) – Site where optic nerve leaves eye – Lacks photoreceptors • Quarter-billion photoreceptors of two types 1. Rods 2. Cones © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Why we do not see blind spot… • When dot/white gap disappears: 1. Visual filling • The black bar fills the space (or white space in case of the dark dot) • Our brain use the surrounding image to fill in the area with something similar • Brain assumes that it is better something similar than disturbing 2. Eye flickering movements (saccades) • • • Same area does not always project to the same area What an eye does not see now, it will see a millisec later when the saccades redirect the visual axis Fastest muscular movements © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Microscopic anatomy of the retina. Ganglion cells Axons of ganglion cells Bipolar cells Photoreceptors • Rod • Cone Amacrine cell Horizontal cell Pathway of signal output Pathway of light Pigmented layer of retina Cells of the neural layer of the retina © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Photoreceptors • Rods – Dim light, peripheral vision receptors – More numerous, more sensitive to light than cones – No color vision or sharp images – Numbers greatest at periphery © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Photoreceptors • Cones 1. Vision receptors for bright light 2. High-resolution color vision – Macula lutea exactly at posterior pole • Mostly cones • Fovea centralis – Tiny pit in center of macula with all cones; best vision © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Blood Supply to the Retina • 2 sources of blood supply 1. Choroid supplies outer third (photoreceptors) 2. Central artery and vein of retina supply inner two-thirds • Enter/exit eye in center of optic nerve • Vessels visible in living person • Hypertension can be detected © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Hypertensive retinopathy • damage to the retina from high blood pressure. – It occurs as the existing high blood pressure causes changes to the microvasculature of the retina. – first findings: flame hemorrhages and cotton wool spots – progression: hard exudates can appear around the macula – causing impairment of vision © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Part of the posterior wall (fundus) of the right eye as seen with an ophthalmoscope. Central artery and vein emerging from the optic disc Optic disc Macula lutea Retina © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Internal Chambers and Fluids • The lens and ciliary zonule separate eye into two segments – Anterior segment – Posterior segments © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Internal Chambers and Fluids • Posterior segment contains vitreous humor that – – – – – Transmits light Supports posterior surface of lens Holds neural layer of retina firmly against pigmented layer Contributes to intraocular pressure Forms in embryo; lasts lifetime • Anterior segment composed of two chambers – Anterior chamber— between cornea and iris – Posterior chamber— between iris and lens © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Internal Chambers and Fluids • Anterior segment contains aqueous humor – Plasma like fluid continuously formed by capillaries of ciliary processes – Drains via scleral venous sinus (canal of Schlemm) at sclera-cornea junction – Supplies nutrients and oxygen mainly to lens and cornea but also to retina, and removes wastes • Glaucoma: blocked drainage of aqueous humor increases pressure and causes compression of retina and optic nerve blindness © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Circulation of aqueous humor. Cornea Lens Posterior segment (contains vitreous humor) Iris Lens epithelium Lens Cornea 2 Corneal epithelium Corneal endothelium Aqueous humor 1 Aqueous humor forms by filtration from the capillaries in the ciliary processes. 2 Aqueous humor flows from the posterior chamber through the pupil into the anterior chamber. Some also flows through the vitreous humor (not shown). 3 Aqueous humor is reabsorbed into the venous blood by the scleral venous sinus. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Anterior segment (contains aqueous humor) Anterior chamber Ciliary zonule (suspensory ligament) Posterior chamber Scleral venous sinus Corneoscleral junction 3 1 Ciliary processes Ciliary muscle Bulbar conjunctiva Sclera Ciliary body Lens • Biconvex, transparent, flexible, and avascular • Changes shape to precisely focus light on retina • Two regions – Lens epithelium anteriorly – Lens fibers form bulk of lens – Lens fibers filled with transparent protein crystallin • Lens becomes more dense, convex, less elastic with age • Lens can be replaced surgically with artificial lens © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Cataracts • Clouding of lens – Consequence of aging – Diabetes mellitus – Heavy smoking: STOP SMOKING! – Frequent exposure to intense sunlight! Sunglasses – Some congenital – Crystallin proteins clump – Large doses of Vitamin C increases cataract formation © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. BREAK Functions of the Eye 1. Light/energy strikes the retina 2. Converts energy into action potentials 3. Relayed to brain for processing © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Light And Optics: Wavelength And Color • Eyes respond to visible light – Small portion of electromagnetic spectrum – Wavelengths of 400-700 nm • Light – Packets of energy (photons or quanta) that travel in wavelike fashion at high speeds – Color of objects: 1. They absorb some wavelength 2. They reflect some wavelength – Objects reflect determines color eye perceives • Red apple reflects red, green grass reflects green • Black: do not reflect anything, but absorbs everything © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. The electromagnetic spectrum and photoreceptor sensitivities. 10–5 nm 10–3 Gamma rays 103 nm 1 nm X rays UV nm 106 Infrared (109 nm =) nm 1m 103 m Micro- Radio waves waves Light absorption (percent of maximum) Visible light Blue cones (420 nm) 100 50 0 400 © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Green Red Rods cones cones (500 nm) (530 nm) (560 nm) 450 500 550 600 Wavelength (nm) 650 700 Light And Optics: Refraction And Lenses • Refraction – Bending of light rays • Due to change in speed when light passes from one transparent medium to another • Occurs when light meets surface of different medium at an oblique angle – Curved lens can refract light © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Refraction. As you sight through the side of the glass at the portion of the straw located above the water's surface, light travels directly from the straw to your eye (to air to glass, glass to air, but this refraction we can ignore) Since this light does not change medium, it will not refract. As you sight at the portion of the straw that was submerged in the water, light travels from water to air (or from water to glass to air). This light ray changes medium and subsequently undergoes refraction. As a result, the image of the straw appears to be broken. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Refraction and Lenses • Light passing through convex lens (as in eye) is bent so that rays converge at focal point – Image formed at focal point is upside-down and reversed right to left • Concave lenses diverge light – Prevent light from focusing © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Light is focused by a convex lens. Point sources Focal points Focusing of two points of light. C A D C B A D B The image is inverted—upside down and reversed. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Focusing Light on The Retina • Pathway of light entering eye: cornea, aqueous humor, lens, vitreous humor, entire neural layer of retina, photoreceptors • Light refracted 3 (-4) times along pathway 1. Entering cornea 2. Entering lens 3. Leaving lens • Majority of refractory power in cornea • Change in lens curvature allows for fine focusing © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Focusing For Distant Vision • Eyes best adapted for distant vision • Far point of vision – Distance beyond which no change in lens shape needed for focusing • 6m for emmetropic (normal) eye • Cornea and lens focus light precisely on retina • Ciliary muscles relaxed • Lens stretched flat by tension in ciliary zonule © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Focusing for distant and close vision. Nearly parallel rays from distant object Sympathetic activation Lens Ciliary zonule Ciliary muscle Inverted image Lens flattens for distant vision. Sympathetic input relaxes the ciliary muscle tightening the ciliary zonule, and flattening the lens. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Focusing For Close Vision • Light from close objects (<6 m) diverges as approaches eye – Requires eye to make active adjustments using 3 simultaneous processes 1. Accommodation of lenses 2. Constriction of pupils 3. Convergence of eyeballs © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Focusing For Close Vision 1. Accommodation – Changing lens shape to increase refraction – Near point of vision • Closest point on which the eye can focus – Presbyopia—loss of accommodation over age 50 2. Constriction – Accommodation pupillary reflex constricts pupils to prevent most divergent light rays from entering eye – (an image is always blurry around edges) 3. Convergence – Medial rotation of eyeballs toward object being viewed • If can’t converge: diplopia – double vision • Image falls different parts of the 2 retinas, brain see 2 images – Press gently on one eyelid as you look at the slide © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Focusing for distant and close vision. Parasympathetic activation Divergent rays Inverted from close object image Lens bulges for close vision. Parasympathetic input contracts the ciliary muscle loosening the ciliary zonule, allowing the lens to bulge. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Focusing for distant and close vision. View Ciliary muscle Lens Ciliary zonule (suspensory ligament) The ciliary muscle and ciliary zonule are arranged sphincterlike around the lens. As a result, contraction loosens the ciliary zonule fibers and relaxation tightens them. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Problems Of Refraction 1. Myopia (nearsightedness) – Focal point in front of retina, e.g., eyeball too long – Close object: no problem – Corrected with a concave lens 2. Hyperopia (farsightedness) – Focal point behind retina, e.g., eyeball too short – Far object: no problem – Corrected with a convex lens 3. Astigmatism – Unequal curvatures in different parts of cornea or lens – Corrected with cylindrically ground lenses or laser procedures © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Problems of refraction. (1 of 3) Emmetropic eye (normal) Focal plane Focal point is on retina. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Problems of refraction. (2 of 3) Myopic eye (nearsighted) Myopia Focal point in front of retina, e.g., eyeball too long – Close object: no problem – Corrected with a concave lens Eyeball too long Uncorrected Focal point is in front of retina. Corrected © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Concave lens moves focal point further back. Problems of refraction. (3 of 3) Hyperopia (farsightedness) – Focal point behind retina, e.g., eyeball too short – Far object: no problem – Corrected with a convex lens Hyperopic eye (farsighted) Eyeball too short Uncorrected Focal point is behind retina. Corrected © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Convex lens moves focal point forward. Functional Anatomy Of Photoreceptors • Rods and cones – Modified neurons – Receptive regions called outer segments • Contain visual pigments (photopigments) Molecules change shape as absorb light – Inner segment of each joins cell body © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Photoreceptors of the retina. Process of bipolar cell Synaptic terminals Rod cell body Inner fibers Rod cell body Nuclei Cone cell body Mitochondria The outer segments of rods and cones are embedded in the pigmented layer of the retina. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Pigmented layer Inner Outer segment segment Outer fiber Melanin granules Connecting cilia Apical microvillus Discs containing visual pigments Discs being phagocytized Pigment cell nucleus Basal lamina (border with choroid) Photoreceptor Cells • • • • Vulnerable to damage Degenerate if retina detached Destroyed by intense light Outer segment renewed every 24 hours – Tips fragment off and are phagocytized © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Rods • Functional characteristics – Very sensitive to light – Best suited for night vision and peripheral vision – Contain single pigment • Perceived input in gray tones only – Pathways converge • causing fuzzy, indistinct images © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Cones • Functional characteristics – Need bright light for activation (have low sensitivity) – React more quickly – Nonconverging pathways result in detailed, highresolution vision • Have 1 of 3 pigments for colored view • Color blindness–lack of one or more cone pigments For those red/green deficient, they will see a 5. Comparison of Rods and Cones © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Chemistry Of Visual Pigments • Retinal – Light-absorbing molecule that combines with one of four proteins (opsins) to form visual pigments • Synthesized from vitamin A – Retinal has 2 forms: bent form and straight form • Bent form change to straight form when pigment absorbs light • Conversion of bent to straight initiates reactions electrical impulses along optic nerve © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Phototransduction: Capturing Light • Deep purple pigment of rods–rhodopsin – Bent retinal + opsin rhodopsin – Three steps of rhodopsin formation and breakdown 1. Pigment synthesis 2. Pigment bleaching 3. Pigment regeneration © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Phototransduction: Capturing Light 1. Pigment synthesis – Rhodopsin forms and accumulates in dark 2. Pigment bleaching – When rhodopsin absorbs light, retinal changes to straight form – Retinal and opsin separate (rhodopsin breakdown) 3. Pigment regeneration – Straight retinal converted to bent – Rhodopsin regenerated in outer segments © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Phototransduction In Cones • Similar as process in rods • Cones far less sensitive to light – Takes higher-intensity light to activate cones © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Events of phototransduction. Slide 6 G protein signaling mechanisms are like a molecular relay race. 2nd Light Receptor G protein Enzyme messenger (1st messenger) 1 Retinal absorbs light and changes shape. Visual pigment activates. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) Visual pigment All-trans-retinal Light cGMP-gated cation channel open in dark 11-cis-retinal Transducin (a G protein) 2 Visual pigment activates transducin (G protein). © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. 3 Transducin activates phosphodiesteras e (PDE). 4 PDE converts cGMP into GMP, causing cGMP levels to fall. cGMP-gated cation channel closed in light 5 As cGMP levels fall, cGMP-gated cation channels close, resulting in hyperpolarization. Light Transduction Reactions • Light-activated rhodopsin activates G protein transducin • In dark, cGMP holds channels of outer segment open Na+ and Ca2+ depolarize cell • In light cGMP breaks down, channels close, cell hyperpolarizes – Hyperpolarization is signal! © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Information Processing In The Retina • Photoreceptors and bipolar cells only generate graded potentials (EPSPs and IPSPs) • When light hyperpolarizes photoreceptor cells 1. Stop releasing inhibitory neurotransmitter glutamate 2. Bipolar cells (no longer inhibited) depolarize, release neurotransmitter onto ganglion cells 3. Ganglion cells generate APs transmitted in optic nerve to brain © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. In the dark Signal transmission in the retina (1 of 2). In the dark 1 cGMP-gated channels open, allowing cation influx. Photoreceptor depolarizes. Na+ Ca2+ 2 Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels open in synaptic terminals. Photoreceptor cell (rod) −40 mV 3 Neurotransmitter is released continuously. Ca2+ 4 Neurotransmitter causes IPSPs in bipolar cell. Hyperpolarization results. 5 Hyperpolarization closes voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, inhibiting neurotransmitter release. Bipolar Cell 6 No EPSPs occur in ganglion cell. 7 No action potentials occur along the optic nerve. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Ganglion cell Slide 8 In the light Signal transmission in the retina. (2 of 2). Below, we look at a tiny column of retina. The outer segment of the rod, closest to the back of the eye and farthest from the incoming light, is at the top. In the light 1 cGMP-gated channels close, so cation influx stops. Photoreceptor hyperpolarizes. Light Light Photoreceptor cell (rod) −70 mV 2 Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels close in synaptic terminals. 3 No neurotransmitter is released. 4 Lack of IPSPs in bipolar cell results in depolarization. 5 Depolarization opens voltage-gated Ca2+ channels; neurotransmitter is released. Bipolar Cell Ca2+ Ganglion cell © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. 6 EPSPs occur in ganglion cell. 7 Action potentials propagate along the optic nerve. Slide 8 Light Adaptation • Move from darkness into bright light – Both rods and cones strongly stimulated • Pupils constrict – Large amounts of pigments broken down instantaneously, producing glare – Visual acuity improves over 5–10 minutes as: • Rod system turns off • Retinal sensitivity decreases • Cones and neurons rapidly adapt © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Dark Adaptation • Move from bright light into darkness – Cones stop functioning in low-intensity light – Rod pigments bleached; system turned off – Rhodopsin accumulates in dark – Transducin returns to outer segments – Retinal sensitivity increases within 20–30 minutes – Pupils dilate © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Night Blindness • Nyctalopia – Not able to see in low light • Rod degeneration / rod damage – Commonly caused by vitamin A deficiency – If administered early vitamin A supplements restore function – Also caused by retinitis pigmentosa • Degenerative retinal diseases that destroy rods © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. S A Y O N A R A !