Receptive Field Organization of Units in the First Optic Ganglion of Diptera

Abstract

Centripetal spike potentials were recorded from two classes of units (transient and sustained) in the intermediate chiasma of flies. On-off units were characterized by a transient discharge after the onset and cessation of a light spot presented within its elliptical receptive field. Receptive fields of sustaining units were composed of three roughly circular regions arranged adjacently along a line; stimulation of the center region elicited a sustained discharge, whereas stimulation of either adjacent region elicited an off discharge. Adjacent regions antagonized the central region, for stimulation of either inhibited the discharge resulting from stimulation of the central region.