Final answer:
Neurotransmitters from rods and cones control the activation of bipolar cells in the retina, processing visual information by modulating the release of neurotransmitters in response to light, thereby contributing to the encoding of visual signals sent to the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neurotransmitters released by rods and cones in the retina perform critical roles in the process of visual transduction. When stimulated by light, these photoreceptor cells undergo a change in their membrane potential, which leads to the alteration of neurotransmitter release onto the bipolar cells. Through this process, a neural signal representing the visual stimulus is created and relayed to the brain. In darkness, neurotransmitters from rods and cones inhibit bipolar cells, keeping the visual system at a baseline activity level. However, exposure to light causes rods and cones to hyperpolarize, reducing their release of neurotransmitters and thus lifting the inhibition on bipolar cells. These activated bipolar cells then stimulate the retinal ganglion cells, eventually transmitting the signal through the optic nerve. Additionally, neurotransmitters can facilitate lateral inhibition via horizontal cells, which sharpens edges and enhances contrast in the visual image. This complex interplay of neurotransmitter release and inhibition is essential for proper visual function and perception.