Hartline et al. (1956) selected the Limulus to demonstrate lateral inhibition because
A) it was possible to illuminate a single receptor without illuminating its adjacent receptor.
B) it was a non-verbal species.
C) the Limulus eye contained more cones than rods.
D) the Limulus has excellent color vision.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hartline et al. (1956) selected the Limulus because its eye had a specific feature that allowed them to demonstrate lateral inhibition. The Limulus eye had a small receptive field for each photoreceptor cell, which meant that it was possible to illuminate a single receptor without illuminating its adjacent receptor. This feature allowed them to show how lateral inhibition occurs in the Limulus eye. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer.

Hartline Et Al