Biological Systems MCAT Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the Biological Systems MCAT Exam. Ace your test with flashcards and multiple choice questions, including hints and explanations. Be prepared for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the role of ganglion cells in the visual pathway?

Transmitting signals through the optic nerve.
Detecting color.
Filtering light intensity.
Absorbing photons.

The correct answer is: Transmitting signals through the optic nerve.

Ganglion cells play a crucial role in the visual pathway as they are responsible for transmitting neural signals from the retina to the brain through the optic nerve. These cells receive input from photoreceptor cells (rods and cones), which detect light and convert it into electrical signals. The ganglion cells then integrate these signals and their axons form the optic nerve, which conveys visual information to the brain for processing. While ganglion cells may receive input related to color detection and light intensity from the surrounding photoreceptor cells, their primary function lies in the transmission of visual information. Therefore, they are essential for relaying the processed visual signals that contribute to our perception of the visual environment.