Skip to main content

Development of Vision and the Pre-Visual System

  • Chapter
Development and Organization of the Retina

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSA,volume 299))

  • 157 Accesses

Abstract

Two topics are covered, both of which are relevant to all vertebrates, but all the results here were obtained in the zebrafish embryo and larva. The development of a system of tracts in the forebrain, the “pre-visual system,” is described. It includes the tract of the postoptic commissure, the dorsoventral diencephalic tract, and the tract of the posterior commissure, and homologs have been found in the embryos of several classes of vertebrates. All three tracts are intimately associated with the retinal axons that appear later. The onset of vision was studied behaviorally (examining the startle and the optokinetic responses) and related to the anatomical development of the eye and extraocular muscles.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Branchek, T., and BreMiller, R. (1984). The development of photoreceptors in the zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio. I. Structure. J. Comp. Neurol. 224: 107–115.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Burrill, J. D., and S. S. Easter, Jr. (1994). The development of the retinofugal projections in the embryonic and larval zebrafish, (Brachydanio rerio). J. Comp. Neurol. 346: 583–600.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Burrill, J. D., and S. S. Easter, Jr. (1995). The first retinal axons and their microenvironment in zebrafish: cryptic pioneers and the pre-tract. J. Neurosci. 15: 2935–2947.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Chitnis, A. B., and J. Y. Kuwada (1991). Elimination of a brain tract increases errors in pathfinding by follower growth cones in the zebrafish embryo. Neuron 7: 277–285.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Cornel, E., and C. E. Holt (1992). Precocious pathfinding: retinal axons can navigate in an axonless brain. Neuron 9: 1001–1011.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Easter, S. S., Jr., P. R. Johns, and L. R. Baumann (1977). Growth of the adult goldfish eye-I: Optics. Vision Res. 17:469–477.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Easter, S. S., Jr., and G. N. Nicola (1996). The development of vision in the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Dev. Biol. 180: 646–663.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Easter, S. S., Jr., and G. N. Nicola (1997). The development of eye movements in the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Dev. Psychobiol. (In press.)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Easter, S. S., Jr., L. S. Ross, and A. Frankfurter (1993). Initial tract formation in the mouse brain. J. Neurosci. 13: 285–299.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Easter, S. S., Jr. and J. S. H. Taylor (1989). The development of the Xenopus retinofugal pathway: optic fibres join a pre-existing tract. Development 107: 553–573.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Easter, S. S., Jr., J. D. Burrill, R. C. Marcus, L. S. Ross, J. S. H. Taylor, and S. W. Wilson (1994). Initial tract formation in the vertebrate brain. In: The Self-Organizing Brain: From Growth Cones to Functional Networks. (Edited by J. van Pelt, M. A. Corner, H. B. M. Uylings, and F. H. Lopes da Silva). Prog. Brain Res. 102: 79–94.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kimmel, C. B., and R. Warga (1986). Tissue-specific cell lineages originate in the gastrula of the zebrafish. Science 231: 365–368.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Masai, I., C. P. Heisenberg, K. A. Barth, R. Macdonald, S. Adamek, S. W. Wilson (1997). Floating head and masterblind regulate neuronal patterning in the roof of the forebrain. Neuron 18: 43–57.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ross, L. S., T. Parrett, and S. S. Easter, Jr. (1992). Axonogenesis and morphogenesis in the embryonic zebrafish brain. J. Neurosci. 12: 467–482.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Sperry, R.W. (1943). Effect of 180 degree rotation of the retinal field on visuomotor coordination. J. Exp. Zool., 92: 263–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Taylor, J. S. H. (1991). The early deveopment of the frog retinotectal projection. Development Supp. 2: 95–104.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Wallman, J. (1993). Retinal control of eye growth and refraction. Prog. Retinal Res. 12: 133–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Wilson, S., L. Ross, T. Parrett, and S. S. Easter, Jr. (1990). The development of a simple scaffold of axon tracts in the brain of the embryonic zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio. Development 108: 121–147.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Easter, S.S., Nicola, G.N., Burrill, J.D. (1998). Development of Vision and the Pre-Visual System. In: Chalupa, L.M., Finlay, B.L. (eds) Development and Organization of the Retina. NATO ASI Series, vol 299. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5333-5_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5333-5_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7433-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-5333-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics