Abstract
Previous anatomical and physiological studies of the gymnotoid electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELLL) suggest that the anatomically identified basilar and non-basilar pyramidal cells correspond to the physiologically defined E and I cells. Intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into physiologically identified E and I cells confirms this hypothesis. The morphologies and physiological responses of the basilar and non-basilar pyramidal cells were compared. Both types of pyramidal cells have extensive apical dendritic trees that interact with a parallel fiber network in the ELLL. The apical dendritic trees of the non-basilar pyramidal cells have a wider spread along the rostrocaudal axis of the ELLL than those of the basilar pyramidal cells. This difference is discussed in reference to the interaction of these cell types with the parallel fibers of the ELLL. The density of apical dendritic branches was measured and related to the distance of these branches from the cell body. No obvious differences were seen between the dendritic density patterns of basilar and non-basilar pyramidal cells. An interesting correlation, however, exists between the atypical physiological characteristics of two basilar pyramidal cells and their dendritic density patterns. Two cells of the medial (ampullary) segment of the ELLL were analyzed. Like the pyramidal cells of the three lateral (tuberous) regions of the ELLL, the physiology of these cells appears to be related to the presence of an extended basilar process. The ampullary cells, however, have apical dendritic trees that are oriented orthogonally to the dendritic trees of the pyramidal cells.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.