THE MAUTHNER CELL
J . DIAMOND
I . Introduction
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I1 . The Basic Anatomy of the Mauthner Neuron
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I11 . The Selective Activation of Mauthner Neurons . .
A . Choice of Stimulus . . . . . . .
B . Choice of Recording Technique . . . .
C . Selective Recording from an Individual Mauthner Cell
D . The Investigation of the Effects of
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Mauthner Cell Excitation . . . . . .
IV . The “Mauthner Reflex” . . . . . . .
A . The Response . . . . . . . .
B . The Inhibition of the Response . . . .
C . Time-Course of the Inhibition . . . . .
D . The Minimum Discrimination Time . . . .
V . The Spinal Circuitry . . . . . . . .
A . The Segmental Nature of the Reflex
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B . The Spinal Responses . . . . . . .
C . Understanding the Minimum Discrimination Time .
VI . The Anatomy of the Spinal Circuitry . . . .
A . Evidence from Light Microscopy
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B . The Mauthner Collaterals and the Motoneurons .
C . Evidence from Electron Microscopy . . .
D . Conclusion on the Identity of the
A1 “Connecting” Unit . . . . . . .
E . An Excitatory Cascade? . . . . . .
VII . The Precision and Constancy of the
Minimum Discrimination Time
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A . The Function of the A1 Unit . . . . .
B . The Implication of a Noise-Free System .
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VIII . The Excitation of the Mauthner Cells . . . .
A . The Need for Asynchronous Firing of the Two Cells
B . The VIII Cranial Nerves: “Electrical” and “Chemical”
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C . The Vestibular System and the Swim Bladder .
D . An Asymmetrically Effective Vibrational Stimulus?
E . The Symmetrical Stimulus . . . . . .
Excitation of the Mauthner Cells
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