A microelectrode is recording the activity from a single cell in the visual cortex of a cat. The cell begins to fire rapidly when a line is presented at a 45-degree angle directly in front of the cat, but stops firing when the line is shifted to a position that is off to the left. In this case, the microelectrode is MOST likely monitoring activity from
A) a simple cell.
B) a cell in the superior colliculus.
C) a complex cell.
D) a hypercomplex cell.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Simple cells in the visual cortex respond to specific orientations and positions of stimuli, such as a line at a particular angle. The described behavior of firing at a 45-degree angle and stopping when the line is moved suggests the cell is a simple cell, which is sensitive to specific orientations and positions.

A Microelectrode Is Recording the Activity from a Single Cell