Abstract
This paper reports results of an investigation of the problem of vertebrate color vision by means of a theoretical model, which, although it uses one kind of receptor, can be adapted to a multireceptor concept. It is assumed (1) that the time constant of the change of the receptor potential conveys the color information of the stimulus, whereas the magnitude of the potential is correlated with stimulus intensity and (2) that a group of cells, tentatively identified as ganglion cells, are associated with each receptor field. These cells fire only if the time constant falls within a certain range. Thus, the visual spectrum is divided into regions and the information is transmitted to the central nervous system. Wave length discrimination in the theoretical model is accomplished by one kind of retinal neural nets that are biased differentially. An analog computer was used in this initial phase of the investigation. Care has been taken to ensure that the model satisfies current anatomical and physiological knowledge. It has produced results similar to Granit's (1955) spectral sensitivity and Kelly's (1961) amplitude sensitivity curves. The model, which will predict “subjective color phenomena” at appropriate frequencies, has raised questions amenable to psychophysiological techniques.
Published Version
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