Lateral inhibition in bipolar cells

Horizontal cells form reciprocal synapses with cone cells.

This is because cone cells depolarise horizontal cells, whereas horizontal cells hyperpolarise bipolar cells
Off-centre bipolar cell: light on centre

On-centre bipolar cell

Light hyperpolarises the centre photoreceptors

This reduces neurotransmitter release
This hyperpolarises the bipolar cell

Darkness depolarises the surround photoreceptors

This depolarises the horizontal cell
This hyperpolarises the centre photoreceptor
This hyperpolarises the bipolar cell

Light hyperpolarises the centre

photoreceptor
This reduces neurotransmitter release
This depolarises the bipolar cell
Darkness depolarises the surround
photoreceptors
This depolarises the horizontal cell
This hyperpolarises the centre
photoreceptor
This depolarises the bipolar cell

Off centre bipolar cell: light on surround

Light hyperpolarises the surround photoreceptors

This reduces neurotransmitter release
This hyperpolarises the horizontal cell
This allows the centre photoreceptor to depolarise
This depolarises the bipolar cell

Light hyperpolarises the surround

photoreceptors
This reduces neurotransmitter release
This hyperpolarises the horizontal cell
This allows the centre photoreceptor to
depolarise
This hyperpolarises the bipolar cell.