Explain the concept of a receptive field in the visual system and provide an example of this concept for a ganglion cell within the cat retina

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: Ganglion cells are the first cells in the visual system to show action potentials (APs), and it is possible to record the number of APs per unit time in a conscious animal while stimulating the retina with various lights. A receptive field is that portion of the visual field of the organism that responds to a light with a change in AP firing rate (increase/decrease). Ganglion cells in the cat show circular receptive fields. In some instances, the circular center responds with an increased firing rate when light is shown on the retina (ON response). Light shown on a ring around the center of such a cell would decrease the firing rate of the cell (OFF response).