Final answer:
To determine if a visual cortex cell is simple or complex, observing its response to moving stimuli is key, as simple cells respond to static oriented lines, whereas complex cells react to movement in their receptive field.
Step-by-step explanation:
One way to determine whether a given cell in the primary visual cortex is "simple" or "complex" is by observing its response to moving stimuli. Simple cells in the visual cortex are mainly characterized by having a receptive field with static oriented edges or bars, which means they respond optimally to stimuli of certain orientations. In contrast, complex cells respond to movement of patterns within a broader area, indicating a higher level of processing of the visual scene. These complex cells do not have clearly defined excitatory or inhibitory zones and respond to stimuli moving across their receptive field. This difference in response to moving stimuli is a key method researchers use to distinguish between these two types of cells in the primary visual cortex.