Abstract
The sensitivity and structure of ommatidia in the Limulus lateral eye exhibit circadian rhythms1–3. The cyclic changes are mediated by the activity of efferent optic nerve fibres1 that originate in the brain and terminate in the retina4,5. We report here that the effects of the efferent input to the retina are detectable in single photoreceptor cells. At night the efferent input decreases photoreceptor noise (discrete waves of the membrane potential in darkness) and increases the photo-receptor response to light (amplitude of the receptor potential).
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to the full article PDF.
USD 39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barlow, R. B. Jr, Bolanowski, S. J. Jr & Brachman, M. L. Science 197, 86–89 (1977).
Chamberlain, S. C. & Barlow, R. B. Jr Biol. Bull. 153, 418–419 (1977).
Barlow, R. B. Jr & Chamberlain, S. C. in Effects of Constant Light (eds Williams, T. P. & Baker, B. N.) (Raven, New York, 1980).
Chamberlain, S. C. thesis and Spec. Rep. ISR-S-17 (Institute for Sensory Research, Syracuse University, 1978).
Fahrenbach, W. H. Z. Zellforsch. 144, 153–166 (1973).
Dodge, F. A. Jr, Knight, B. W. & Toyoda, J. Science 160, 88–90 (1968).
Yeandle, S. Am. J. Opthal. 46, pt 2, 82–87 (1958).
Adolph, A. R. J. gen. Physiol. 48, 297–322 (1964).
Adolph, A. R. J. gen. Physiol. 52, 584–599 (1968).
Srebro, R. & Behbehani, M. J. Physiol., Lond. 224, 349–361 (1972).
Barlow, R. B. Jr J. gen. Physiol. 54, 383–396 (1969).
Barlow, R. B. Jr & Kalpan, E. J. gen. Physiol. 69, 203–220 (1977).
Yau, K. W., Lamb, T. D. & Baylor, D. A. Nature 269, 78–80 (1977).
Yau, K. W., Matthews, G. & Baylor, D. A. Nature 279, 785–786 (1979).
Barlow, R. B. Jr & Palfai, T. in Research Report LSC-14 4 (Institute for Sensory Research, Syracuse University 1971).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kaplan, E., Barlow, R. Circadian clock in Limulus brain increases response and decreases noise of retinal photoreceptors. Nature 286, 393–395 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/286393a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/286393a0
This article is cited by
-
On the molecular origin of photoreceptor noise
Nature (1993)
-
Noise enhancement of information transfer in crayfish mechanoreceptors by stochastic resonance
Nature (1993)
-
Efferent neurotransmission of circadian rhythms inLimulus lateral eye
Journal of Comparative Physiology A (1988)
-
The eccentric cell of theLimulus lateral eye: encoder of circadian changes in visual responses
Journal of Comparative Physiology A (1988)
-
Neuronal mechanisms of a hydromedusan shadow reflex
Journal of Comparative Physiology A (1986)
