Summary
Intracellular responses to illumination have been recorded separately from the retinula cells and from their axons in the compound eyes of the giant water bug Lethocerus. The basic response in both places consists of an initial transient depolarisation followed by a plateau (Fig. 2). No action potentials were seen in either axons or retinula cells.
The responses are graded according to the intensity of the stimulus, to its position within the visual field of the cells and to the plane of polarization of the light (Figs. 3, 4). The angle of acceptance (dark-adapted eyes) measured in either retinula cells or axons is 9°. Similarly, the average value of the sensitivity ratio to light polarised at orthogonal planes is 3∶1 in both places.
Experiments designed to reveal a presumed spike initiation region of the cells by reducing damage to the eye failed to reveal impulses. It is concluded that the receptor potential spreads electrotonically in the axon to the first synaptic region which lies up to 2 mm away. The values of membrane constants which would be required for conduction without severe decrement over such a distance are within the range measured in other systems.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Autrum, H., Zwehl, V. von: Zur spektralen Empfindlichkeit einzelner Sehzellen der Drohne (Apis mellifica ♂). Z. vergl. Physiol. 46, 8–12 (1962).
—: Die spektrale Empfindlichkeit einzelner Sehzellen des Bienenauges. Z. vergl. Physiol. 48, 357–384 (1964).
Baumann, F.: Slow and spike potentials recorded from retinula cells of the honeybee drone in response to light. J. gen. Physiol. 52, 855–875 (1968).
Baylor, D. A., Fuortes, M. G. F.: Electrical responses of single cones in the retina of the turtle. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 207, 77–92 (1970).
Benolken, R. M.: Reversal of photoreceptor polarity recorded during the graded receptor potential response to light in the eye of Limulus. Biophys. J. 1, 551–564 (1961).
Boistel, J.: Quelques caractéristiques électriques de la membrane de la fibre nerveuse au repos d'un insecte (Periplaneta americana). C.R. Soc. Biol. (Paris) 153, 1009–1013 (1959).
Brown, H. M., Meech, R. W., Koike, H., Hagiwara, S.: Current-voltage relations during illumination: photoreceptor membrane of a barnacle. Science 166, 240–243 (1969).
Burtt, E. T., Catton, W. T.: Electrical responses to visual stimulation in the optic lobes of the locust and certain other insects. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 133, 68–88 (1956).
—: Transmission of visual responses in the nervous system of the locust. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 146, 492–515 (1959).
Bush, B. M. H., Roberts, A.: Resistance reflexes from crab muscle receptors without impulses. Nature (Lond.) 218, 1171–1173 (1968).
Fuortes, M. G. F.: Initiation of impules in visual cells of Limulus. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 148, 14–28 (1959).
Hagins, W.A., Zonana, H. V., Adams, R. G.: Local membrane current in the outer segments of squid photoreceptors. Nature (Lond.) 194, 844–847 (1962).
Katz, B.: Nerve, muscle and synapse. New York: McGraw Hill 1966.
Kennedy, D.: The photoreceptor process in lower animals. In: Photophysiology (A. C. Giese, ed.), Vol. II, p. 79–123. New York and London: Academic Press 1964.
Kuiper, J. W.: On the image formation in a single ommatidium of the compound eye of diptera. Symp. Functional Organization of the Compound Eye 35–50 (C. G. Bernhard, ed.). Oxford: Pergamon Press 1966.
Lasansky, A., Fuortes, M. G. F.: The site of origin of electrical responses in visual cells of the leech Hirudo medicinalis. J. Cell Biol. 42, 241–252 (1969).
Lockwood, A. P. M.: “Ringer solutions” and some notes on the physiological basis of their ionic composition. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 2, 241–289 (1961).
Millecchia, R., Mauro, A.: The ventral photoreceptor cells of Limulus. III. A voltage clamp study. J. gen. Physiol. 54, 331–352 (1969).
Naka, K. I., Eguchi, E.: Spike potentials recorded from the insect photoreceptor. J. gen. Physiol. 45, 663–680 (1962).
Ripley, S. H., Bush, B. M. H., Roberts, A.: Crab muscle receptor which responds without impulses. Nature (Lond.) 218, 1170–1171 (1968).
Rushton, W. A. H.: A theoretical treatment of Fuortes's observations upon eccentric cell activity in Limulus. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 148, 29–38 (1959).
Scholes, J.: The electrical responses of the retinal receptors and the lamina in the visual system of the fly Musca. Kybernetik 6, 149–161 (1969).
—, Reichardt, W.: The quantal content of optomotor stimuli and the electrical responses of receptors in the compound eye of the fly Musca. Kybernetik 6, 74–80 (1969).
Shaw, S. R.: Organisation of the locust retina. Symp. Zool. Soc. Lond. 23, 135–163 (1968).
—: Inter-receptor coupling in ommatidia of drone honey bee and locust compound eyes. Vision Res. 9, 999–1029 (1969).
Tunstall, J., Horridge, G. A.: Electrophysiological investigation of the optics of the locust retina. Z. vergl. Physiol. 55, 167–182 (1967).
Varela, F. G., Wiitanen, W.: The optics of the compound eye of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). J. gen. Physiol. 55, 336–358 (1970).
Zettler, F., Järvilehto, M.: Histologische Lokalisation der Ableitelektrode. Belichtungspotentiale aus Retina und Lamina bei Calliphora. Z. vergl. Physiol. 68, 202–210 (1970).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ioannides, A.C., Walcott, B. Graded illumination potentials from retinula cell axons in the bug Lethocerus . Z. Vergl. Physiol. 71, 315–325 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298143
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298143