The Spectral Sensitivity of the Neurons Mediating Black and White

Abstract

Our percepts of black and white are not equally strong for all monochromatic lights across the spectrum, but instead have a spectral tuning defined by they ways in which their neural substrates process the outputs of three univariant cone photoreceptors. The neurons mediating black and white and how they combine the cone outputs remain controversial but growing evidence indicates cone-opponent midget ganglion cells are involved. The paradoxical implications of having “chromatic” neurons mediate what is traditionally assumed to be a role of “achromatic” neurons remain unresolved. Here, we investigate whether midget ganglion cells can account for the variation in perceived saturation with wavelength.