When a light is shone in the periphery of the receptive field of an on-center cell,
A) there is an immediate period of inhibition and then a burst of firing when the light is turned off.
B) the firing of the cell is increased until the light is turned off.
C) the firing of the cell is inhibited after the light has been turned off.
D) the cell is silent until the light comes on again.
E) the cell is almost silent until the light comes on again.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

On-center cells are stimulated by light in the center of their receptive field and inhibited by light in the surrounding area. When a light is shone in the periphery of the receptive field, it initially activates inhibitory neurons that lead to an immediate period of inhibition. However, when the light is turned off, the inhibitory neurons stop firing and the on-center cell experiences a burst of firing as a result of the removal of inhibition. This is known as the off-response. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

When a Light Is Shone in the Periphery of the Receptive