RGC (Retinal Ganglion Cells) are most sensitive to which wavelength of light?

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are crucial components of the visual system, responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain. These cells exhibit varying sensitivity to different wavelengths of light based on the types of photoreceptors they synapse with and the specific characteristics of their signaling pathways.

The correct answer is blue light, specifically around 480nm. Retinal ganglion cells are equipped with photosensitive melanopsin, which makes them particularly responsive to blue wavelengths. This sensitivity plays a key role in regulating circadian rhythms and integrated visual processing. The presence of melanopsin in these cells enables them to detect light levels that influence biological processes such as sleep-wake cycles and pupil response, emphasizing their importance in both visual perception and non-image forming functions.

In contrast, while other wavelengths like green light, yellow light, and short wave infrared contribute to overall visual perception, RGCs specifically have a pronounced response to the blue light spectrum due to the unique characteristics of their phototransductive mechanisms and the biological roles associated with blue light sensitivity.