Visual Processing in Zebrafish: Retinal Ganglion Cells and Behavior

This lecture discusses the visual processing mechanisms in zebrafish, focusing on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their role in encoding visual information. It begins with an overview of the center-surround model of receptive fields, explaining how RGCs respond to light stimuli through excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms. The lecture highlights the historical significance of Jerome Lettvin's work on frog vision, which laid the groundwork for understanding feature detection in vertebrates. The instructor elaborates on the diversity of RGCs, emphasizing their ability to detect motion, edges, and prey-like stimuli. The discussion extends to the anatomical organization of the zebrafish visual system, including the optic tectum's role in processing visual information and coordinating behavioral responses. The lecture concludes with insights into how visual stimuli influence hunting and escape behaviors in zebrafish, showcasing their evolutionary adaptations for survival. Overall, the lecture provides a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between visual processing and behavior in this model organism.