Question

concentric antagonistic areas seen in retinal and LGN receptive fields. (Source: Neuroscience: Exploring the brain) So the receptive field of a ganglion cell is either ON or OFF center. What does this antagonistic area mean in the ganglion cell receptive field?

Answer 1

In the receptive field of a ganglion cell, there are ON and OFF centers that have opposite responses to light.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the receptive field of a ganglion cell, there are concentric antagonistic areas. This means that there are two regions within the receptive field of a ganglion cell that have opposite responses to light: one region is called the ON center and the other is called the OFF center.

When light falls on the ON center, it causes an increase in firing rate of the ganglion cell, meaning the cell is more active. In contrast, when light falls on the OFF center, it causes a decrease in firing rate of the ganglion cell, meaning the cell is less active.

This antagonistic arrangement helps in coding visual signals related to contrast and edges in the visual scene.