1. Function of the retina
Annika Malmgren, 2009

2. FUNCTION OF THE RETINA
To convert electromagnetic waves into action potentials
AND
To differentiate between different electromagnetic stimuli

3. structure of the retina

4. The fovea

5. Photoreceptors

6. Photoreception LIGHT HYPERPOLARIZATION BATHORHODOPSIN RHODOPSIN
METARHODOPSIN II
Opsin
All-trans
Water
Transducin
Retinaldehyde
11-cis
Alpha-subunit
5’-GMP
cGMP
Phosphodiesterase
Na+
LIGHT
HYPERPOLARIZATION K+
Na+

7. opsins
OPSIN
SCOTOPSIN
PHOTOPSIN
445 nm nm nm
Blue Green Red

8. Signal transmission Glutamate Glutamate (inhibiting) OFF cells
ON cells
Inhibition
Excitation
W-cells X-cells Y-cells
From rods From cones: From cones:
Color, shape Movement

9. FUNCTION OF THE RETINA
To convert electromagnetic waves into action potentials
AND
To differentiate between different electromagnetic stimuli
(both colors and static/movement)