Response properties of stained monopolar cells in the honeybee lamina

Abstract

1. Monopolar cells of the first visual ganglion, the lamina, of the bee were recorded from and stained intracellularly. 2. Several different response types to pulses of spectral light were found. The most common response type hyperpolarized in a phasic-tonic fashion. The tonic hyperpolarizing response frequently decreased gradually, but in some cases increased with lasting illumination. Some cells also gave a transient response to light-OFF. In contrast, one stained and several unstained cells showed depolarizing responses. Five cells exhibited spiking responses under normal physiological conditions. 3. The V/log I-functions were steeper than those of the photoreceptors and, in some cases, had both rising and falling parts with increasing intensities. The spectral sensitivity obtained with the constant response method showed a peak in the green (510–535 nm) in most cells. A series of spectral flashes revealed an additional type with highest sensitivity in UV. Indirect evidence was found in one cell for spectral opponent processing. 4. Two morphological types of monopolar cells were stained. These correspond well to Ribi's (1976) L1 and L2 cells, with some differences in detail. The most frequently stained cell type closely resembles his L2 type. All 3 stained spiking cells were of this type.