Vertebrate photoreceptors [electronic resource] : functional molecular bases / Takahisa Furukawa, James B. Hurley, Satoru Kawamura, editors.

9784431548805 electronic book
4431548807 electronic book
9784431548799
4431548793

Tokyo : Springer, 2014.

English

1 online resource (viii, 349 pages) : illustrations (some color)

10.1007/978-4-431-54880-5 doi

QP481

573.8/828

This book provides a series of comprehensive views on various important aspects of vertebrate photoreceptors. The vertebrate retina is a tissue that provides unique experimental advantages to neuroscientists. Photoreceptor neurons are abundant in this tissue and they are readily identifiable and easily isolated. These features make them an outstanding model for studying neuronal mechanisms of signal transduction, adaptation, synaptic transmission, development, differentiation, diseases, and regeneration. Thanks to recent advances in genetic analysis, it also is possible to link biochemical and physiological investigations to understand the molecular mechanisms of vertebrate photoreceptors within a functioning retina in a living animal. Photoreceptors are the most deeply studied sensory receptor cells, but readers will find that many important questions remain. We still do not know how photoreceptors, visual pigments, and their signaling pathways evolved, how they were generated, and how they are maintained. This book will make clear what is known and what is not known. The chapters are selected from fields of studies that have contributed to a broad understanding of the birth, development, structure, function, and death of photoreceptor neurons. The underlying common word in all of the chapters that is used to describe these mechanisms is molecule. Only with this word can we understand how these highly specific neurons function and survive. It is challenging for even the foremost researchers to cover all aspects of the subject. Understanding photoreceptors from several different points of view that share a molecular perspective will provide readers with a useful interdisciplinary perspective.

Includes index.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Access limited to authorized users.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (SpringerLink, viewed April 21, 2014).

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