Vision and Motion: Anatomy and Processing of Visual Signals

Electromagnetic spectrum

Range of all electromagnetic radiation wavelengths.

Visible light

Small segment of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Cornea

Transparent eye window with no blood vessels.

Aqueous humor

Fluid supplying nutrients to lens and cornea.

Iris

Controls light entry to the retina.

Lens

Adjustable structure made of crystallins.

Vitreous humor

Gel-like substance filling eye chamber.

Retina

Converts light into electrical neural signals.

Accommodation

Lens adjustment for focusing light on retina.

Optic nerve

Transmits visual information to the brain.

Photoreceptors

Cells that detect light and initiate vision.

Rods

Photoreceptors for dim light, no color detection.

Cones

Photoreceptors for bright light, color detection.

Pupil

Opening that adjusts to light levels.

Horizontal cells

Cells enhancing contrast in retinal signals.

Amacrine cells

Enhance contrast and temporal sensitivity in vision.

Lateral inhibition

Signal modulation based on activation differences.

Bipolar cell

Integrates signals from multiple photoreceptors.

Ganglion cells

Transmit visual information from retina to brain.

P Cells

Process contrast information in visual images.

M Cells

Process motion information in visual images.

Contrast sensitivity function

Ability to detect differences in light intensity.

Fourier analysis

Breaks down images into spatial frequencies.

Topographical mapping

Mapping visual field representation in LGN layers.

Primary visual cortex (V1)

Processes lines, edges, and contrast.

Orientation selectivity

Neurons respond best to specific line orientations.

Motion aftereffect

Perception of motion after viewing moving objects.

Optic flow

Indicates motion direction and presence.

Biological motion

Specific rules for human and animal movements.