AMACRINE CELLS Meaning and
Definition
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Amacrine cells are a type of neuron found in the retina of the eye. They are interneurons, meaning they function as connectors between other neurons, with their primary role being to modulate and integrate visual signals.
These cells do not have axons extending out from the retina, but rather have elaborate branching dendrites that make numerous connections with other retinal cells. This allows them to receive and transmit signals in a lateral direction, within the inner plexiform layer of the retina.
Amacrine cells exhibit a great diversity in their morphological and functional characteristics, and are classified into several subtypes based on their neurotransmitter content and response properties. They can release various neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, or dopamine, which play a crucial role in inhibitory or excitatory signaling within the visual system.
Due to their strategic position within the retina, amacrine cells contribute to several visual processes, including contrast enhancement, motion detection, edge detection, and color processing. They help to refine and shape the signals transmitted by the photoreceptor cells and bipolar cells, ensuring that the messages reaching the ganglion cells are precise and convey accurate visual information.
Overall, amacrine cells are essential components of the retinal circuitry, facilitating complex and dynamic processing of visual signals and playing a crucial role in visual perception.
Common Misspellings for AMACRINE CELLS
- amacrine cell
- amacrinne cell
- zmacrine cells
- smacrine cells
- wmacrine cells
- qmacrine cells
- anacrine cells
- akacrine cells
- ajacrine cells
- amzcrine cells
- amscrine cells
- amwcrine cells
- amqcrine cells
- amaxrine cells
- amavrine cells
- amafrine cells
- amadrine cells
- amaceine cells
- amacdine cells
- amacfine cells
Etymology of AMACRINE CELLS
The word "amacrine" originates from Greek roots. In Greek, "a" (ἄ) denotes negation or absence, and "macrine" comes from the Greek word "makros" (μακρός), meaning long or large. Therefore, "amacrine" implies the absence or lack of long or large cells. This term was coined by neurobiologist and ophthalmologist Donald Voigt in the mid-20th century to describe a specific type of cell found in the retina of the eye. Amacrine cells are characterized by their small size and lack of long projections called axons. They play crucial roles in processing visual information within the retina.
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