Lateral inhibition in bipolar cells

Horizontal cells form reciprocal synapses with cone cells.

This is because cone cells depolarise horizontal cells, whereas horizontal cells hyperpolarise bipolar cells

Off-centre bipolar cell: light on centre On-centre bipolar cell

L L

Light hyperpolarises the centre photoreceptors Light hyperpolarises the centre

This reduces neurotransmitter release photoreceptor
This hyperpolarises the bipolar cell This reduces neurotransmitter release
This depolarises the bipolar cell
Darkness depolarises the surround photoreceptors
This depolarises the horizontal cell Darkness depolarises the surround
This hyperpolarises the centre photoreceptor photoreceptors
This depolarises the horizontal cell
This hyperpolarises the bipolar cell
This hyperpolarises the centre
photoreceptor
This depolarises the bipolar cell

Off centre bipolar cell: light on surround

L L

Light hyperpolarises the surround photoreceptors Light hyperpolarises the surround

This reduces neurotransmitter release
This hyperpolarises the horizontal cell
This allows the centre photoreceptor to depolarise
This depolarises the bipolar cell
photoreceptors
This reduces neurotransmitter release
This hyperpolarises the horizontal cell
This allows the centre photoreceptor to
depolarise
This hyperpolarises the bipolar cell.