2006/01/01 by V. V. Zhukov, Serguei L. Borissenko, Marina Zieger +2 · 1 citation
Neuroscience · #Photoreceptor and optogenetics research #Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research #Neuroscience and Neural Engineering #Biology #Spectral sensitivity #Electrophysiology #Ultrastructure #Erg #Rhodopsin #Phototaxis #Retina #Biophysics #Anatomy #Sensory receptor #Cilium #Lens (geology) #Electroretinography #Retinal #Zoology #Optics #Cell biology #Physics #Neuroscience #Botany
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1463-6395.2006.00216.x
openalex publication_date 2006/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/22
Abstract We used light and electron microscopy to study the retinal organization of the eye of Viviparus viviparus . Electroretinogram (ERG) recordings were used to investigate the electrophysiological responsiveness to flashes of light of varying intensity and colour, behavioural observations were made of phototactic reactions, and optical measurements and calculations related to the path of light rays in the eye were made. The retina contains principally two types of cells: first, photoreceptor cells with both microvilli and cilia, and second, cells, often strongly pigmented, that are supportive in nature. The ERGs obtained were essentially similar in form, amplitude and duration to those known from other gastropods that have exclusively rhabdomeric photoreceptors. Spectral sensitivity curves closely fitted the absorption spectrum of a rhodopsin‐like pigment. The spectral sensitivity peak was at 475 nm. Measurements of the refractive indices of the lens gave values of 1.55 for the outer layer and 1.57 for the lens core. None of the snails tested exhibited a ‘defensive reflex’ and although no preference between light and dark regions was expressed, we nevertheless argue that, on the basis of optical measurements and calculations, the eye of V. viviparus is well‐adapted for seeing under water. Our main conclusion is that in the eye of V. viviparus with its ‘mixed photoreceptor’ cell type, there is an equal probability for microvilli and cilia to function as principal photoreceptive elements.