Lateral Inhibition: How does it work? Each receptor (R) actives 1 bipolar (B)

1
Lateral InhibitionHow does it work?Each
receptor (R) actives 1 bipolar (B) 1 horizontal
(H) cell. Each horizontal cell inhibits its own
bipolar and each neighboring bipolar cell. The
net output of the bipolar cell to the ganglion
cell (G) determines the signal to the brain.
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
2
Lateral InhibitionRules Excitation (5) is
greater than inhibition (-1).
EQUAL LIGHT STIMULATION
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
3
Lateral InhibitionCalculate the inhibitory and
excitatory inputs to the bipolar cells in the
boxes at the bottom.
EQUAL LIGHT STIMULATION
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
-1 0
-2 5
-3 5
-3 5
-2 5
-1 0
4
Lateral InhibitionThe net output to the
ganglion cells has an enhanced signal at the
borders.
EQUAL LIGHT STIMULATION
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
-1
3
2
2
3
-1
5
Lateral InhibitionTry it yourself Try
different patterns and intensities of light
activation.