Question

As a scientist, you shine a light on a photoreceptor neighboring a photoreceptor that you are recording action potentials from.

You find that the brighter the light the greater the slowing of the rate of action potentials.



You find the greater the number of neighboring receptors you illuminate the greater the slowing of the rate of action potentials



You find that illuminating a close neighboring photoreceptor slows the rate of action potentials more than illuminating a distant photoreceptor.



What process have your just discovered?

habituation

desensitization

lateral inhibition

stimulus down-regulation

Answer 1

The process you have discovered is known as lateral inhibition, which enhances sensory perception by increasing contrast and edge detection through the inhibition of neighboring cells.

So, the correct answer is option 3) lateral inhibition.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the experiment described, shining light on a photoreceptor neighboring the one being recorded from results in a reduction of the rate of action potentials. The intensity of this effect increases with the brightness of the light and the number of receptors illuminated. Additionally, the proximity of the illuminated photoreceptor to the one being recorded affects the rate of action potentials, with closer receptors having a greater effect. This phenomenon you've discovered is known as lateral inhibition.

Lateral inhibition is a process in the nervous system that helps to sharpen the borders of areas of high sensory stimulation, enhancing contrast and making the sensory perception more distinct. In the retina, it is mediated by horizontal cells that carry signals to inhibit distant photoreceptors and bipolar cells when a nearby photoreceptor is stimulated. This inhibition enhances contrast and edge detection, allowing for improved visual acuity.

So, the correct answer is option 3) lateral inhibition.