Functional Properties of Different Cells in the Retina of Cold-Blooded Vertebrates

Abstract

In order to understand the function of the retina as a whole, it is necessary to know the neurophysiological properties of its elements, that is, the cells of the different layers. This has been done in our laboratory by means of three approaches. The first is the extracellular microelectrode layer-analysis of the electroretinogram (ERG) components. Improvement of the microelectrode technique has made it possible now to realize the second approach: intracellular recording from the different cells of the retina. The third approach we have named "indicatory cytochemistry." It is well known from histochemical investigations by Hyden (1955), Brodsky (1956), Brodsky and Netchajeva (1958), and many others, that the quantity of RNA rises in nerve cells when they are functionally active for a sufficiently long time. The RNA level may be measured quantitatively by means of ultraviolet cytophotometry. Therefore the quantity of RNA in a cell may be used as an