Coles, J. A. (1971) Some reflective properties of the tapetum lucidum of the cat's eye. Journal of Physiology, 212(2), pp. 393-409.
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Publisher's URL: http://jp.physoc.org/content/212/2/393.full.pdf+html
Abstract
1. Observation of the fresh, isolated tapetum of the cat with a low-power microscope showed it to be composed of multilayer reflectors (domains) each being less than 6 μm in diameter. It is concluded that these are subdivisions of the intracellular bundles of rodlets seen in electron micrographs.<p></p> 2. Apparatus was devised for illuminating a single domain with a pencil of white light and observing the colour and direction of the reflected light.<p></p> 3. Those domains which lie near the vitreal surface of the tapetum tend to reflect blue light and deeper ones reflect longer wave-lengths; this is attributed to differences in the layer spacings of the domains.<p></p> 4. Each domain has a set of reflecting planes lying within 15° of the general plane of the tapetal surface. In addition, many domains have surfaces inclined to these at angles greater than 20° which also can reflect visible light.<p></p> 5. The mechanism of reflexion is discussed in relation to the latticelike structure of the domain.<p></p> 6. It is suggested that under some conditions the nature of the tapetum may lead to significant local variations in the spectral sensitivity of the visual system.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Coles, Dr Jonathan |
Authors: | Coles, J. A. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity |
Journal Name: | Journal of Physiology |
Publisher: | Wiley |
ISSN: | 0022-3751 |
ISSN (Online): | 1469-7793 |
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