Retinal ganglion cells spontaneously fire action potentials at a base rate while at rest. Excitation of retinal ganglion cells results in an increased firing rate while inhibition results in a depressed rate of firing.

Which retinal neurons fire action potentials quizlet?

1. With one exception, the only light-sensitive cells in the retina are the rod and cone photoreceptors. 3. Ganglion cells are the only retinal neurons that fire action potentials and this is essential for transmitting information outside the eye.

Which cells in retina generate action potentials?

Ganglion cells are the major output cells of the retina. Their axons gather at the optic disk, where they become myelinated and form the optic nerve. As their message is conveyed over a significant distance, it is encoded as trains of spikes (also known as 'action potentials', or 'neural impulses').