Bipolar cell
Bipolar cell
Bipolar cells are specialized neurons that are located in the retina of the eye, playing a crucial role in the visual signal processing pathway. They are named for their unique structure, which features two distinct ends or 'poles'.
Pronunciation
Bipolar cell: /baɪˈpoʊlər sɛl/
Etymology
The term 'bipolar' is derived from the Greek words 'bi', meaning 'two', and 'polos', meaning 'axis'. 'Cell' comes from the Latin 'cella', meaning 'small room'.
Function
Bipolar cells receive signals from photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) and transmit these signals to the ganglion cells. They are part of the visual pathway, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain.
Types
There are two main types of bipolar cells: ON-bipolar cells and OFF-bipolar cells. ON-bipolar cells are activated by an increase in light intensity, while OFF-bipolar cells are activated by a decrease in light intensity.
Related Terms
- Neuron: A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.
- Retina: A layer at the back of the eyeball containing cells that are sensitive to light and that trigger nerve impulses that pass via the optic nerve to the brain, where a visual image is formed.
- Photoreceptor cell: A type of neuron in the retina that is responsible for converting light into signals that can be processed by the brain.
- Ganglion cell: A type of neuron located near the inner surface of the retina and are the final output neurons of the vertebrate retina.
- Visual pathway: The pathway along which visual information is transmitted from the eye to the brain.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Bipolar cell
- Wikipedia's article - Bipolar cell
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