Functional role of processes of an identified neuron inHelix pomatia

Conclusion

• 1. The receptive field of neuron RPa4 is the whole surface of the snail's body. The receptive field is heterogeneous with respect to response latency of the neuron. The signal reaches the cell most rapidly from the head part, least rapidly from the tail part of the snail's body.

• 2. The giant neuron RPa4 of the right parietal ganglion has one process; it gives off several axons, most of which run through nerves of the parietal and visceral ganglia into the snail's body.

• 3. The integrative function of neuron RPa4 is determined by relations between synaptic influences converging from the whole body and the endogenous pacemaker mechanism of the cell.

• 4. Neuron RPa4 is an integrative output stage, linking the snail's CNS with its peripheral nervous system. The possible function of this neuron is to control motoneurons of the peripheral nervous system.