Visual adaptation: a case of nonlinear summation.

Abstract The intensity-voltage ( I–V ) function of photoreceptors is known to be linear at low response levels and to saturate at higher levels. Both the increment threshold and dark adaptation are associated with steady-state signals upon which the threshold response is superimposed. The first derivative of the I–V function provides the gain at any steady-state signal level and thus determines the threshold.

[1]  R. M. Boynton,et al.  Visual Adaptation in Monkey Cones: Recordings of Late Receptor Potentials , 1970, Science.

[2]  A Kaneko,et al.  Spectral response curves of single cones in the carp. , 1967, Vision research.

[3]  W A RUSHTON,et al.  The effect upon the rod threshold of bleaching neighbouring rods , 1962, The Journal of physiology.

[4]  John E. Dowling,et al.  Neural and Photochemical Mechanisms of Visual Adaptation in the Rat , 1963, The Journal of general physiology.

[5]  S. Hecht.  The Chemistry of Visual Substances , 1942 .

[6]  H B BARLOW,et al.  THE ROLE OF AFTERIMAGES IN DARK ADAPTATION. , 1964, Science.

[7]  J. Toyoda,et al.  Light-induced resistance changes in single photoreceptors of Necturus and Gekko. , 1969, Vision research.

[8]  A. R. Martin,et al.  A further study of the statistical composition of the end‐plate potential , 1955, The Journal of physiology.

[9]  H B BARLOW,et al.  Increment thresholds at low intensities considered as signal/noise discriminations , 1957, The Journal of physiology.

[10]  A. Mauro,et al.  Simple Photoreceptors in Limulus polyphemus , 1966, Science.

[11]  K. Naka,et al.  S‐potentials from luminosity units in the retina of fish (Cyprinidae) , 1966, The Journal of physiology.

[12]  R. Glantz.  Light adaptation in the photoreceptor of the crayfish, Procambarus clarki. , 1968, Vision research.

[13]  W. Stiles,et al.  Saturation of the Rod Mechanism of the Retina at High Levels of Stimulation , 1954 .

[14]  J. Dowling,et al.  Light and Dark Adaptation in the Isolated Rat Retina , 1967, Nature.

[15]  J. Dowling.  The Site of Visual Adaptation , 1967, Science.

[16]  D. Baylor,et al.  Electrical responses of single cones in the retina of the turtle , 1970, The Journal of physiology.