Skip to main content
Log in

The electrophysiology of the retina ofPeriplaneta americana L.

2. Receptor sensitivity and polarized light sensitivity

  • Published:
Journal of comparative physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

  1. 1.

    Retinula cells ofPeriplaneta in the same state of morphological adaptation differ among themselves in absolute sensitivity by up to 1 log unit (tenfold).

  2. 2.

    Morphologically dark-adapted retinula cells are, on average, ten times as sensitive as light-adapted cells to light on the optical axis.

  3. 3.

    All retinula cells are about 5 times as sensitive to plane polarized light in the plane of its optimum effectiveness as in the orthogonal plane.

  4. 4.

    Retinula cells fall into two groups with optimum plane of polarization 90 ° apart, corresponding with the 2 planes of rhabdomeric microvilli.

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

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Autrum, H., Kolb, G.: The dark adaptation in single visual cells of the compound eye ofAeschna cyanea. J. comp. Physiol.79, 213–232 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Autrum, H., Zwehl, V. von: Die Sehzellen der Insekten als Analysatoren für polarisiertes Licht. Z. vergl. Physiol.46, 1–7 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Burkhardt, D., Wendler, L.: Ein direkter Beweis für die Fähigkeit einzelner Sehzellen des Insektenauges, die Schwingungsrichtung polarisierten Lichtes zu analysieren. Z. vergl. Physiol.43, 687–692 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R.: The identification and mapping of spectral cell types in the retina ofPeriplaneta americana. Z. vergl. Physiol.72, 67–80 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, E., Horridge, G. A.: The electrophysiology of the retina ofPeriplaneta americana L. 1. Changes in receptor acuity upon light/dark adaptation. J. comp. Physiol.83, 263–278 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  • Horridge, G. A.: Unit studies on the retina of dragonflies. Z. vergl. Physiol.62, 1–37 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Naka, K.-I., Kishida, K.: Retinal action potentials during dark and light adaptation. In: C. G. Bernhard (ed.), The functional organization of the compound eye, p. 251–266. Oxford: Pergamon 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, S. R.: Polarized light responses from crab retinula cells. Nature (Lond.)211, 92–93 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, S. R.: Polarized-light detection and receptor interaction in the arthropod eye. Ph. D. Thesis. University of St. Andrews (1968a).

  • Shaw, S. R.: Organisation of the locust retina. Symp. zool. Soc. Lond.23, 135–163 (1968b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, S. R.: Interreceptor coupling in ommatidia of drone honeybee and locust compound eyes. Vision Res.9, 999–1029 (1969a).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, S. R.: Sense-cell structure and interspecies comparisons of polarized-light absorption in arthropod compound eyes. Vision Res.9, 1031–1040 (1969b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Snyder, A. W.: Excitation and scattering of modes on a dielectric or optical fiber. I.E.E.E. Trans. on Microwave theory and techniques MTT-17, 1138–1144 (1969).

  • Snyder, A. W., Horridge, G. A.: The optical function of changes in the medium surrounding the cockroach rhabdom. J. comp. Physiol., in press (1973).

  • Tunstall, J., Horridge, G. A.: Electrophysiological investigation of the optics of the locust retina. Z. vergl. Physiol.55, 167–182 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Walcott, B.: Unit studies on receptor movement in the retina ofLethocerus (Belostomatidae, Hemiptera). Z. vergl. Physiol.74, 17–25 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Butler, R., Horridge, G.A. The electrophysiology of the retina ofPeriplaneta americana L.. J. Comp. Physiol. 83, 279–288 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00693679

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00693679

Keywords

Navigation