Color-Opponent Receptive Field Explorer

Explore how single-opponent color cells in the retina and LGN respond to chromatic stimuli. These cells have a center excited by one cone type and a surround excited by another, creating color opponency.

Stimulus Type
Region A Color
Region B Color
Stimulus Geometry
Receptive Field
Firing Rate 8sp/s
85 max
Center & Surround Cone Activation
Spike Train

Single-opponent cells respond best when the center and surround receive light of different wavelengths. A uniform colored field produces weak responses because excitation and inhibition partially cancel — just as with achromatic cells and uniform luminance.