Summary
Hierarchical neurons detect edges, motion and objects, as shown by Hubel and Wiesel.
In depth
Retina to LGN to V1; V1 has simple and complex cells tuned to orientation; dorsal 'where' stream for motion and location, ventral 'what' stream for object identity. Hubel and Wiesel won the 1981 Nobel Prize.
Receptive fields grow more complex along the pathway. Visual information is processed in parallel streams. Damage to specific regions produces specific deficits.
Key idea: vision is constructed by the brain, not a camera.
Frequently asked questions
What is Visual Cortex Processing?
Hierarchical neurons detect edges, motion and objects, as shown by Hubel and Wiesel.
Which area of biology covers Visual Cortex Processing, and how advanced is it?
Visual Cortex Processing is one of the 54 topics in Neuroscience. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Sensory and Motor Neurons, Nervous System, Hippocampus and Memory Consolidation.
Can you give an example of Visual Cortex Processing?
Damage to the fusiform face area causes prosopagnosia.
What should I learn before Visual Cortex Processing?
Work through the Beginner topics in Neuroscience first, such as Nervous System, Neuron, Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems, then return to Visual Cortex Processing. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Visual Cortex Processing?
The closest topics to Visual Cortex Processing are Sensory and Motor Neurons, Nervous System, Hippocampus and Memory Consolidation, Cerebellum and Motor Learning. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Visual Cortex Processing?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Visual Cortex Processing. To practise the whole of Neuroscience, use the Neuroscience quiz.
How is Visual Cortex Processing different from Sensory and Motor Neurons?
Visual Cortex Processing: Hierarchical neurons detect edges, motion and objects, as shown by Hubel and Wiesel. Sensory and Motor Neurons: Sensory neurons carry information to the CNS; motor neurons carry commands to muscles and glands. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Visual Cortex Processing step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Sensory and Motor Neurons and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Neuroscience quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.