Visual Perception, Receptive Fields, and Eye Diseases

Vocabulary flashcards covering lateral inhibition, visual illusions, retinal convergence, receptive fields, and common diseases of the eye.

Lateral inhibition

A neural interaction in which an active neuron reduces the activity of its neighboring neurons.

Hermann grid illusion

An illusion explained by lateral inhibition, where the receptor at the intersection receives input from receptors lined up with it while firing.

Simultaneous contrast

A perceptual effect explained by lateral inhibition, where strongly activated sensory neurons suppress the activity of neighboring neurons.

White's Illusion

A visual illusion explained by lateral inhibition where rectangles at B receive greater input than rectangles at A.

Rods

The retinal photoreceptors that exhibit convergence.

Convergence

The brain's ability to combine inputs from other senses.

Center-surround receptive fields

A fundamental organization in the early visual system.

On-center receptive field

A type of receptive field where light shining excites the cell.

Off-center receptive field

A type of receptive field where darkness in the center excites the cell.

Myopia

A condition where the eye is too long and cannot see far away.

Hyperopia

A condition where the eye is too short and cannot see close.

Astigmatism

An eye condition characterized by an irregular cornea or lens shape.

Cataracts

A condition in which the lens of the eye is less transparent.

Glaucoma

An eye disease involving damage to the optic nerve that leads to vision loss.