Biomaterial Database

Correlations between the structural and functional characteristics of neurons in the superficial laminae and the hamster's superior colliculus. 1985

R D Mooney, and B G Klein, and R W Rhoades

Intracellular recording, receptive field mapping, and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injection techniques were used to determine the structural and functional characteristics of neurons in the superficial laminae (stratum griseum superficiale and stratum opticum) of the hamster's superior colliculus (SC). Fifty-nine neurons (from 38 different hamsters) were successfully characterized, injected with HRP, and recovered. Of these, 8 were marginal cells, 14 had stellate morphology, 10 had narrow, vertically oriented dendritic trees, 12 had wide, vertically oriented dendritic arbors, and 8 were horizontal cells. Seven neurons had somatodendritic morphologies which did not fall into any of these groups. Overall, the distribution of receptive field properties for these cells matched that obtained in previous extracellular recordings from the superficial SC laminae in this species (Chalupa, L.M., and R.W. Rhoades (1977) J. Physiol. (Lond.) 270: 595-626; Chalupa, L.M. and R.W. Rhoades (1978) J. Physiol. (Lond.) 274: 571-592). There were significant correlations between receptive field properties and morphology. Sixty-four percent of the stellate cells and 75% of the marginal cells were directionally selective. Only 17% of the other cell types exhibited this response property. In addition, only 36% of the stellate cells and 25% of the marginal neurons were discharged by stationary, flashed spots. Eighty-one percent of the other recovered cells gave reliable responses to such stimuli. Stellate and marginal cells could also be differentiated from the other cell types on the basis of speed selectivity. Only 29% of the stellate and 13% of the marginal cells responded to stimulus speeds in excess of 20 degrees/sec.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008564	Membrane Potentials	The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or ORGANELLES membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization).	Resting Potentials,Transmembrane Potentials,Delta Psi,Resting Membrane Potential,Transmembrane Electrical Potential Difference,Transmembrane Potential Difference,Difference, Transmembrane Potential,Differences, Transmembrane Potential,Membrane Potential,Membrane Potential, Resting,Membrane Potentials, Resting,Potential Difference, Transmembrane,Potential Differences, Transmembrane,Potential, Membrane,Potential, Resting,Potential, Transmembrane,Potentials, Membrane,Potentials, Resting,Potentials, Transmembrane,Resting Membrane Potentials,Resting Potential,Transmembrane Potential,Transmembrane Potential Differences
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D003712	Dendrites	Extensions of the nerve cell body. They are short and branched and receive stimuli from other NEURONS.	Dendrite
D004594	Electrophysiology	The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D006224	Cricetinae	A subfamily in the family MURIDAE, comprising the hamsters. Four of the more common genera are Cricetus, CRICETULUS; MESOCRICETUS; and PHODOPUS.	Cricetus,Hamsters,Hamster
D006735	Horseradish Peroxidase	An enzyme isolated from horseradish which is able to act as an antigen. It is frequently used as a histochemical tracer for light and electron microscopy. Its antigenicity has permitted its use as a combined antigen and marker in experimental immunology.	Alpha-Peroxidase,Ferrihorseradish Peroxidase,Horseradish Peroxidase II,Horseradish Peroxidase III,Alpha Peroxidase,II, Horseradish Peroxidase,III, Horseradish Peroxidase,Peroxidase II, Horseradish,Peroxidase III, Horseradish,Peroxidase, Ferrihorseradish,Peroxidase, Horseradish
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013477	Superior Colliculi	The anterior pair of the quadrigeminal bodies which coordinate the general behavioral orienting responses to visual stimuli, such as whole-body turning, and reaching.	Colliculus, Superior,Optic Lobe, Human,Optic Lobe, Mammalian,Optic Tectum,Anterior Colliculus,Superior Colliculus,Tectum, Optic,Colliculi, Superior,Colliculus, Anterior,Human Optic Lobe,Human Optic Lobes,Mammalian Optic Lobe,Mammalian Optic Lobes,Optic Lobes, Human,Optic Lobes, Mammalian,Optic Tectums,Tectums, Optic