Question

when they are perpendicular to them.Explain in your own words why simple cells in V1 give larger responses when the bars are parallel to the axis of elongation than when they are perpendicular to them.

Answer 1

Answer: This is as a result of it covering more on the center part of the cell unlike when it is perpendicular.

Explanation: This is as a result of it covering more on the center part of the cell unlike when it is perpendicular. Cells in the primary visual cortex tends to responds to a particular direction of light. There are distinct inhibitory and excitatory regions and when the bar of light is moved over the cell you hear the firing rate (noise) which depends on the direction the light moves in. When the bar of light is set at an angle or perpendicular, the inhibitory receptive field is illuminated which slows the firing rate. when the bar of light is perpendicular, it leads to both the inhibitory and excitatory regions being illuminated which can sometimes result in their firing potentials canceling out each other, which can lead to no response in firing.

Answer 2

Answer:

Simple cells of the cortex give larger responses when the bars are parallel to the axis of elongation because when the bar is perpendicular, it does not cover more on the centre, it covers more of the on center part of the cell when it is parallel

Explanation:

Primary visual cortex cells responds best to specific orientations of light. There are distinct inhibitory and excitatory regions and when moving the bar of light over the cell you can hear the firing rate that is dependent on the orientation of the light. When the bar of light was perpendicular, it lights up the inhibitory receptive field which slowed the firing rate and also when the bar of light is perpendicular, sometimes both the inhibitory and excitatory regions are enlightened their firing potentials may cancel each other, therefore, no response in firing. The cell has elongated, clearly defined receptive fields where light will produce an on or off response known as  the off center region. The more of a region a stimulus takes up, the stronger the build up of the firing. When opposing regions are stimulated at the same time, there is inhibition and you see no firing response from the cell.