Amacrine cells in scotopic vision.
Signals from rod bipolar cells of cat retina are processed by a variety of rod amacrine cells before finally arriving at ganglion cells. Three of these rod amacrine cells (AII, A13, and A17 ) have been studied at the physiological and anatomical levels; the results suggest that each carries out a unique visual function: AII cells appear to quicken the response time of the rod system in the mid-scotopic range, while A17 cells may increase the light-gathering area of rod bipolars near visual threshold. Stimulation of A13 cells may disinhibit ganglion cells, thus heightening their responsiveness at low levels of illumination.
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D003623:Dark Adaptation; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*