Question

The convergence of rods on ganglion cells

		a.  increases visual resolution
		b.  improves color vision
		c.  creates a blind spot on the retina
		d.  increases visual acuity

Hubel and Weisel (1963) recorded from individual neurons from visual cortex. They found that neurons in primary visual cortex

		a. responded selectively to elementary features of visual stimuli
		b. responded selectively to geons but not to different colors
		c. did not respond selectively to any visual stimuli.

1. Desimone, et al (1984) presented macaque monkeys with stimuli that included bananas, black snakes, toilet brushes, and faces, and recorded from individual neurons from visual-temporal cortex. The results showed that

   		a. neurons responded to all of these stimuli in the same way.
   		b. neurons responded selectively to face stimuli.
   		c. neurons responded selectively to the snake stimuli.
   		d. neurons responded selectively to the faces and the toilet brush stimuli.

I keep talking about “neurons responding selectively” to things. What does it mean for a neuron to “respond selectively”?

		a. The neuron fires when it wants to, no matter what the stimulus is.
		b. The firing rate increases and decreases randomly.
		c. The neuron fires more when a stimulus is presented and significantly less when the stimulus is not presented.

Answer 1

The convergence of rods on ganglion cells

		a.  increases visual resolution
		b.  improves color vision
		c.  creates a blind spot on the retina
		d.  increases visual acuity

Answer: b. Improved color vision.

Hubel and Weisel (1963) recorded from individual neurons from visual cortex. They found that neurons in primary visual cortex

		a. responded selectively to elementary features of visual stimuli
		b. responded selectively to geons but not to different colors
		c. did not respond selectively to any visual stimuli.

Answer: a. responded selectively to elementary features of visual stimuli.

Desimone, et al (1984) presented macaque monkeys with stimuli that included bananas, black snakes, toilet brushes, and faces, and recorded from individual neurons from visual-temporal cortex. The results showed that

		a. neurons responded to all of these stimuli in the same way.
		b. neurons responded selectively to face stimuli.
		c. neurons responded selectively to the snake stimuli.
		d. neurons responded selectively to the faces and the toilet brush stimuli.

Answer: a. neurons responded to all of these stimuli in the same way.

I keep talking about “neurons responding selectively” to things. What does it mean for a neuron to “respond selectively”?

		a. The neuron fires when it wants to, no matter what the stimulus is.
		b. The firing rate increases and decreases randomly.
		c. The neuron fires more when a stimulus is presented and significantly less when the stimulus is not presented.

Answer: c: The neuron fires more when a stimulus is presented and significantly less when the stimulus is not presented.