Dark-adaptation luminance thresholds for the resolution of detail following different durations of light adaptation.

1955 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Leonard Diamond ◽  
Alberta S. Gilinsky
Keyword(s):  
Dark Adaptation ◽  
Light Adaptation

The Cockroach DCMD Neurone: I. Lateral Inhibition and the Effects of Light- and Dark-adaptation

1982 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
DONALD H. EDWARDS
Keyword(s):  
Lateral Inhibition ◽  
Dark Adaptation ◽  
Light Adaptation ◽  
Absolute Intensity ◽  
Recurrent Network ◽  
Light Spot ◽  
Movement Detector ◽  
Threshold Response ◽  
Inhibitory Network ◽  
Local Background

1. The responses of the cockroach descending contralateral movement detector (DCMD) neurone to moving light stimuli were studied under both light- and dark-adapted conditions. 2. With light-adaptation the response of the DCMD to two moving 2° (diam.) spots of white light is less than the response to a single spot when the two spots are separated by less than 10° (Fig. 2). 3. With light-adaptation the response of the DCMD to a single moving light spot is a sigmoidally shaped function of the logarithm of the light intensity (Fig. 3a). With dark-adaptation the response of a DCMD to a single moving light spot is a bell-shaped function of the logarithm of the stimulus intensity (Fig. 3b). The absolute intensity that evokes a threshold response is about one-and-a-half log units less in the dark-adapted eye than in the light-adapted eye. 4. The decrease in the DCMD's response that occurs when two stimuli are closer than 10°, and when a single bright stimulus is made brighter, indicates that lateral inhibition operates among the afferents to the DCMD. 5. It is shown that this inhibition cannot be produced by a recurrent lateral inhibitory network. A model of the afferent path that contains a non-recurrent lateral inhibitory network can account for the response/intensity plots of the DCMD recorded under both light-adapted and dark-adapted conditions. 6. The threshold intensity of the DCMD is increased if a stationary pattern of light is present near the path of the moving spot stimulus. This is shown to be due to a peripheral tonic lateral inhibition that is distinct from the non-recurrent lateral inhibition described earlier. 7. It is suggested that the peripheral lateral inhibition acts to adjust the threshold of afferents to local background light levels, while the proximal non-recurrent network acts to enhance the acuity of the eye to small objects in the visual field, and to filter out whole-field stimuli.

The Effect of Changed Extracellular Calcium and Sodium Concentration on the Electroretinogram of the Crayfish Retina

1980 ◽  
Vol 35 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 308-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Stieve ◽  
I. Claßen-Linke
Keyword(s):  
Dark Adaptation ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Calcium Concentration ◽  
Light Adaptation ◽  
Sodium Concentration ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Calcium Stores ◽  
Half Time ◽  
Astacus Leptodactylus ◽  
External Calcium

Abstract The electroretinogram (ERG) of the isolated retina of the crayfish Astacus leptodactylus evoked by strong 10 ms light flashes at constant 5 min intervals was measured while the retina was continuously superfused with various salines which differed in Ca2+ -and Na+ -concentrations. The osmotic pressure of test- and reference-saline was adjusted to be identical by adding sucrose. Results: 1. Upon raising the calcium-concentration of the superfusate in the range of 20-150 mmol/l (constant Na+ -concentration: 208 mmol/l) the peak amplitude hmax and the half time of decay t2 of the ERG both decrease gradually up to about 50% in respect to the corresponding value in reference saline. 2. The recovery of the ERG due to dark adaptation following the “weakly light adapted state” is greatly diminished in high external [Ca2+]ex. 3. Lowering the external calcium-concentration (10 →1 mmol/l) causes a small increase in hmax and a strong increase of the half time of decay t2 (about 180%). Upon lowering the calcium concentration of the superfusate to about 1 nmol/l by 1 mmol/l of the calcium buffer EDTA, a slowly augmenting diminution of the ERG height hm SLX occurs. How­ever, a strong retardation of the falling phase of the ERG characterized by an increase in t2 occurs quickly. Even after 90 min stay in the low calcium saline the retina is still not inexcitable; hmax is 5 - 10% of the reference value. The diminution of hmax occurs about six-fold faster when the buffer concentration is raised to 10 mmol/l EDTA. 4. Additional lowering of the Na+ -concentration (208 →20.8 mmol/l) in a superfusate with a calcium concentration raised to 150 mmol/l causes a strong reduction of the ERG amplitude hmax to about 10%. 5. In a superfusate containing 1 nmol/l calcium such lowering of the sodium concentration (208 → 20.8 mmol/l) causes a diminution of the ERG height to about 40% and the shape of the ERG to become polyphasic; at least two maxima with different time to peak values are observed. Interpretation: 1. The similarity of effects, namely raising external calcium concentration and light adaptation on the one hand and lowering external calcium and dark adaptation on the other hand may indicate that the external calcium is acting on the adaptation mechanism of the photoreceptor cells, presumably by influencing the intracellular [Ca2+]. 2. The great tolerance of the retina against Ca2+ -deficiency in the superfusate might be effected by calcium stores in the retina which need high Ca2+ -buffer concentrations in the superfusate to become exhausted. 3. In contrast to the Limulus ventral nerve photoreceptor there does not seem to be an antagonis­ tic effect of sodium and calcium in the crayfish retina on the control of the light channels. 4. The crayfish receptor potential seems to be composed of at least two different processes. Lowering calcium-and lowering external sodium-concentration both diminish the height and change the time course of the two components to a different degree. This could be caused by in­ fluencing the state of adaptation and thereby making the two maxima separately visible.

Changes of Acuity during Light and Dark Adaptation in the Dragonfly Compound Eye

1990 ◽  
Vol 45 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric J. Warrant ◽  
Robert B. Pinter
Keyword(s):  
Dark Adaptation ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Light Adaptation ◽  
Compound Eye ◽  
Sensitivity Function ◽  
The State ◽  
Intracellular Recordings ◽  
Acceptance Angle ◽  
Angular Sensitivity ◽  
Rapid Reduction

Abstract Intracellular recordings of angular sensitivity from the photoreceptors of Aeschnid dragonflies (Hemianax papuensis and Aeschna brevistyla) are used to determine the magnitude and time course of acuity changes following alterations of the state of light or dark adaptation. Acuity is defined on the basis of the acceptance angle, Δρ (the half-width of the angular-sensitivity function). The maximally light-adapted value of Δρ is half the dark-adapted value, indicating greater acuity during light adaptation. Following a change from light to dark adaptation, Δρ increases slowly, requiring at least 3 min to reach its dark-adapted value. In contrast, the reverse change (dark to light) induces a rapid reduction of Δρ , and at maximal adapting luminances, this reduction takes place in less than 10 sec.

Effect of amobarbital on the course of human dark adaptation

1961 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Granger
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Oral Administration ◽  
White Light ◽  
Dark Adaptation ◽  
Light Adaptation ◽  
Visual Adaptation ◽  
Test Field ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Stability

Following light adaptation to a luminance of 120 mL for 5 minutes, absolute thresholds for a centrally fixated, 7-degree test field in 'white' light were measured during the course of 30 minutes' dark adaptation. Viewing was monocular and the measuring light was exposed in 0.018-second flashes. The resulting curves, defining the relation between log threshold luminance and time in the dark, displayed the typical features of 'rod' dark adaptation and were found to be highly reproducible in three experienced observers. Neither the shape of the curves nor their position along the log luminance axis was affected by the oral administration of a sedative dose (0.30 gm/70 kg) of amobarbital. It was concluded that the results supported the views of Hecht and other photochemical theorists concerning the stability of human dark adaptation and its resistance to fluctuations in the state of the central nervous system, but were not necessarily incompatible, as was sometimes supposed, with the hypothesis of a neural component in visual adaptation. Submitted on May 23, 1960

scholarly journals DARK ADAPTATION AND THE LIGHT-GROWTH RESPONSE OF PHYCOMYCES

1929 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. Castle
Keyword(s):  
Latent Period ◽  
Dark Adaptation ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Light Adaptation ◽  
Exposure Period ◽  
Bimolecular Reaction ◽  
Dark Reaction ◽  
Action Time ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Photochemical Action

1. A single-celled, elongating sporangiophore of Phycomyces responds to a sufficient increase in intensity of illumination by a brief increase in growth rate. This is the "light-growth response" of Blaauw. 2. The reaction time is compound, consisting of an exposure period and a latent period (this comprising both the true latent period resulting from photochemical action and any "action time" necessary for the response). During the latter period the plant may be in darkness, responding nevertheless at the end of the latent period. 3. Both light adaptation and dark adaptation occur in the sporangiophore. The kinetics of dark adaptation can be accounted for on the basis of a bimolecular reaction, perhaps modified by autocatalysis. Attention is called to the bimolecular nature of the "dark" reaction in all other photosensory systems that have been studied, in spite of the diversity of the photosensitive substances themselves and of the different forms of the responses to light.

scholarly journals Oxygen distribution and consumption in the cat retina during normoxia and hypoxemia.

1992 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
R A Linsenmeier ◽  
R D Braun
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Dark Adaptation ◽  
Light Adaptation ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Extracellular Potassium ◽  
Oxygen Distribution ◽  
Simple Diffusion ◽  
Extracellular Potassium Concentration ◽  
Proximal Half ◽  
Cat Retina

Oxygen tension (PO2) was measured with microelectrodes within the retina of anesthetized cats during normoxia and hypoxemia (i.e., systemic hypoxia), and photoreceptor oxygen consumption was determined by fitting PO2 measurements to a model of steady-state oxygen diffusion and consumption. Choroidal PO2 fell linearly during hypoxemia, about 0.64 mmHg/mmHg decrease in arterial PO2 (PaO2). The choroidal circulation provided approximately 91% of the photoreceptors' oxygen supply under dark-adapted conditions during both normoxia and hypoxemia. In light adaptation the choroid supplied all of the oxygen during normoxia, but at PaO2's less than 60 mmHg the retinal circulation supplied approximately 10% of the oxygen. In the dark-adapted retina the decrease in choroidal PO2 caused a large decrease in photoreceptor oxygen consumption, from approximately 5.1 ml O2/100 g.min during normoxia to 2.6 ml O2/100 g.min at a PaO2 of 50 mmHg. When the retina was adapted to a rod saturating background, normoxic oxygen consumption was approximately 33% of the dark-adapted value, and hypoxemia caused almost no change in oxygen consumption. This difference in metabolic effects of hypoxemia in light and dark explains why the standing potential of the eye and retinal extracellular potassium concentration were previously found to be more affected by hypoxemia in darkness. Frequency histograms of intraretinal PO2 were used to characterize the oxygenation of the vascularized inner half of the retina, where the oxygen distribution is heterogeneous and simple diffusion models cannot be used. Inner retinal PO2 during normoxia was relatively low: 18 +/- 12 mmHg (mean and SD; n = 8,328 values from 36 profiles) in dark adaptation, and significantly lower, 13 +/- 6 mmHg (n = 4,349 values from 19 profiles) in light adaptation. Even in the dark-adapted retina, 30% of the values were less than 10 mmHg. The mean PO2 in the inner (i.e., proximal) half of the retina was well regulated during hypoxemia. In dark adaptation it was significantly reduced only at PaO2's less than 45 mmHg, and it was reduced less at these PaO2's in light adaptation.

scholarly journals Slow and Spike Potentials Recorded from Retinula Cells of the Honeybee Drone in Response to Light

1968 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 855-875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fritz Baumann
Keyword(s):  
Electric Current ◽  
Dark Adaptation ◽  
Light Adaptation ◽  
Ringer Solution ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Slow Potential ◽  
Single Spike ◽  
Intracellular Microelectrodes ◽  
Honeybee Drone ◽  
Regenerative Phenomenon

Responses to light recorded by means of intracellular microelectrodes in isolated heads kept in oxygenated Ringer solution consist of a slow depolarization. Light adaptation increases the rates of depolarization and repolarization and decreases the amplitude of the response. Qualitatively these changes are similar to those observed in Limulus by Fuortes and Hodgkin. They are rapidly reversible during dark adaptation. In retinula cells of the drone eye a large single spike is recorded superimposed on the rising phase of the slow potential. The spike is a regenerative phenomenon; it can be triggered with electric current and is markedly reduced, sometimes abolished by tetrodotoxin. In rare cases cells were found which responded to light with a train of spikes. This behavior was only found under "unusual" experimental conditions; i.e., towards the end of a long experiment, during impalement, or at the beginning of responses to steps of strongly light-adapted preparations.

scholarly journals Adaptation in the Ventral Eye of Limulus is Functionally Independent of the Photochemical Cycle, Membrane Potential, and Membrane Resistance

1973 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Fein ◽  
R. D. DeVoe
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Time Constant ◽  
Dark Adaptation ◽  
Light Adaptation ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Membrane Resistance ◽  
Initial Time ◽  
Early Receptor Potential ◽  
Time Courses ◽  
Sensitivity Changes

The early receptor potential (ERP), membrane potential, membrane resistance, and sensitivity were measured during light and/or dark adaptation in the ventral eye of Limulus. After a bright flash, the ERP amplitude recovered with a time constant of 100 ms, whereas the sensitivity recovered with an initial time constant of 20 s. When a strong adapting light was turned off, the recovery of membrane potential and of membrane resistance had time-courses similar to each other, and both recovered more rapidly than the sensitivity. The receptor depolarization was compared during dark adaptation after strong illumination and during light adaptation with weaker illumination; at equal sensitivities the cell was more depolarized during light adaptation than during dark adaptation. Finally, the waveforms of responses to flashes were compared during dark adaptation after strong illumination and during light adaptation with weaker illumination. At equal sensitivities (equal amplitude responses for identical flashes), the responses during light adaptation had faster time-courses than the responses during dark adaptation. Thus neither the photochemical cycle nor the membrane potential nor the membrane resistance is related to sensitivity changes during dark adaptation in the photoreceptors of the ventral eye. By elimination, these results imply that there are (unknown) intermediate process(es) responsible for adaptation interposed between the photochemical cycle and the electrical properties of the photoreceptor.

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