Intracellular analysis and structural correlates of the organization of inputs to ganglion cells in the retina of the turtle

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Abstract
Intracellular recording from the ganglion cells of the retina of the turtle P. scripta elegans shows the photoresponses are characterized by either of 2 reversal potentials. These were related to the bipolar and amacrine cell inputs to ganglion cells. Of the recorded ganglion cells, 33% (type A) are driven predominantly by 1 type of input, attributed to bipolar cells. Other ganglion cells (66%, type B) receive a mixed input from bipolar and amacrine cells. Type A ganglion cells show a higher conduction velocity (up to 3 m/s) and a higher firing frequency (up to 160 spikes/s) than type B cells. By injecting Procion yellow into bipolar, amacrine and ganglion cells, type A ganglion cells ramified only in those regions of the inner plexiform layer containing cell processes originating exclusively from the bipolar cell type predicted from the recordings. Type B ganglion cells ramify throughout the inner plexiform layer in a multistratified or a diffuse fashion.