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Rod outer segments are designed for optimum photon detection

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Abstract

The proposal that rod outer segment length is optimal with respect to photon absorption and noise control is extended and tested in a number of species. We find good agreement with our optimality criterion in duplex retinae where rods act as detectors of one or a few photons, but not in all rod retinae nor in those which are exposed to significant photic environmental noise.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biophysical Sciences, University at Buffalo/SUNY, 120 CARY Hall, 14214, Buffalo, NY, USA

    K. Nicholas Leibovic

  2. Computer Science, Universidad de Las Palmas, E-35016, Las Palmas, Spain

    R. Moreno-Diaz Jr.

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  1. K. Nicholas Leibovic
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  2. R. Moreno-Diaz Jr.
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Leibovic, K.N., Moreno-Diaz, R. Rod outer segments are designed for optimum photon detection. Biol. Cybern. 66, 301–306 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00203666

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00203666

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