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Photolysis and excitation in vertebrate photoreceptors

A theoretical analysis

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Abstract

The proposal (Leibovic and Kurtz, 1975; Leibovic, 1975) that the physiological response of a vertebrate photoreceptor can be analyzed in terms of three stages of pigment photolysis is examined in relation to a possible transmitter acting on sodium channels in the outer segment membrane. One of the three stages is proposed to be a precursor for the transmitter. The functional significance of the three stages is considered in terms of visual adaption and the different needs of responding to light at low and at high levels of illumination.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Biophysical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA

    K. N. Leibovic

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  1. K. N. Leibovic
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Leibovic, K.N. Photolysis and excitation in vertebrate photoreceptors. Biol. Cybernetics 21, 171–179 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00337424

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00337424

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