Electrophysiology of the Insect Dorsal Ocellus
Open Access
- 1 January 1961
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Rockefeller University Press in The Journal of general physiology
- Vol. 44 (3), 629-639
- https://doi.org/10.1085/jgp.44.3.629
Abstract
Large nerve fibers in the ocellar nerves of dragonflies are spontaneously active. In the absence of inhibitory influence the spontaneous activity is rhythmic. Inhibition occurs in the dark-adapted state and during illumination. Miniature inhibitory postsynaptic potentials occur in the dark-adapted state. These modulate by temporary suppression the otherwise rhythmic discharge of ocellar nerve impulses. The presence of random spontaneous receptor cell excitations is inferred from the presence of the miniature i.p.s.p.'s. Light stimulates many or all the receptor cells simultaneously, masking the random spontaneous activity of individual receptor cells. The result is a sustained hyperpolarizing i.p.s.p. and sustained inhibition of the nerve discharge. Preceding resumption of the spontaneous activity at "off" the i.p.s.p. may oscillate, overshoot the baseline as a negative after-potential, or do both. These phases of the off-effect may generate nerve impulses in an off-burst.Keywords
This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit:
- Electrophysiology of the Insect Dorsal OcellusThe Journal of general physiology, 1961
- Electrophysiology of the Insect Dorsal OcellusThe Journal of general physiology, 1961
- A comparison of the electrical responses of compound eyes and dorsal ocelli in four insect speciesJournal of Insect Physiology, 1958
- Spontaneous subthreshold activity at motor nerve endings.1952