Contributions to Sensory Physiology

Contributions to Sensory Physiology: Volume 5 presents a theory about the physiological basis of sensation. It discusses some research made in microscopic anatomy and psychophysics. It addresses the functional significance and physiological mechanisms of the sensory systems. Some of the topics covered in the book are the simple cells of the striate cortex; the concept of a receptive field; definition of a unimodal simple cell; inhibitory components in the receptive field; stimulus contrast and mean level of luminance; specificity of inhibitory zones; and experimental procedures for recording average response histogram. The relation and possible importance of taste bud cells are covered. The comparison of foliate, vallate, and fungiform buds are discussed. The text describes the nature of taste receptor sites. A study of the location of receptor sites on taste cells is presented. A chapter is devoted to the mechanochemical model of taste excitation. Another section focuses on the proposals for molecular specificity. The book can provide useful information to scientists, doctors, students, and researchers.

List of Contributors Preface Contents of Previous Volumes Simple Cells of the Striate Cortex I. The Concept of a Receptive Field II. Receptive Fields of Neurons in the Striate Cortex III. Excitatory Components in the Receptive Field IV. Inhibitory Components in the Receptive Field V. Binocular Specificities: Binocular Gate Neuron VI. Form Discrimination: Some Speculations References Relations and Possible Significance of Taste Bud Cells I. Introduction II. Experiment No. 1: IXth Nerve Section III. Experiment No. 2: Thymidine Labeling IV. Experiment No. 3: Horizontal Serial Sections V. General Discussion VI. Conclusions References The Nature of Taste Receptor Sites I. Nature of the Problem II. Location of Receptor Sites on Taste Cells III. Heterogeneity of Receptor Sites IV. Quantitative Measures of Stimulus-Receptor Site Interaction V. Receptor Site Plasticity VI. A Mechanochemical Model of Taste Excitation VII. Conclusion References Auditory Receptor Organs of Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals I. Introduction II. Reptiles III. Birds IV. Mammals V. Summary References Old and New Data on Tone Perception I. Introduction II. Frequency Analysis by the Ear III. Timbre and the Harmonics IV. Effect of Phase on Timbre V. Combination Tones VI. Beats of Simple Tones VII. Tonal Consonance and Dissonance VIII. Discussion References Author Index Subject Index