INTRODUCTION

In developing the theory presented in PROCESSES IN BIOLOGICAL VISION, it was found that there was no satisfactory treatise on the BASIS OF THE NEURAL SYSTEM. The main work was stymied by this situation. It was necessary to overcome this problem and the result is presented here.

Two fundamental finding and one major discovery resulted from this effort:

• The morphologically defined neuron is not the fundamental element of the neural system from a functional perspective.
  
  
• The functional aspects of the neural system are entirely electrolytic in operation.
  
  
  • The chemical transport of simple ions, or heavy molecules, at the synapse separating neurons does not play a role in the signaling function of the neural system.

The discovery of the active electrolytic semiconductor device, the Activa™, provided the key to the understanding of the operation of the neural system. It placed the functional role of the various morphological structures in proper perspective and provided the correct interpretation of the operational phenomena involved.

The Activa is a unique biologically based structure that exhibits "transistor action" The term "transistor action" is a term in the Patent lexicon to define a unique quantum mechanical mechanism. The Activa, US Patent #5,946,185, is the electrolytic (biological) equivalent of the man-made transistor.

CONTENTS OF PROCESSES IN BIOLOGICAL VISION related to the neurons

With the discovery of the Activa, it became possible to interpret the topography of the various neurons from a topological perspective. This led to the definition of the basic mechanisms and morphological forms found in the neural system. This material has been assembled into three Chapters within a PART of the main work:

PART C ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF THE NEURON

Because of the unexpected success of this analysis, there has been considerable spill-over of new knowledge related to the cortical portion of the neural system. To tabulate this material in a preliminary manner, a Chapter 15 of PART D has been introduced to discuss the Higher Level Perceptual Functions.

The theory presented here is far more complete and mathematically rigorous than any other presented to date. It takes issue with many concepts that have become dogma over the years through indiscriminate repetition in textbooks and journal articles. Many of these poorly defined dogmatic positions are compared with a more explicit position based on the theory.

MAJOR CONCEPTUAL CHANGES

The main work introduces three major paradigm shifts affecting concepts held true for the last 50 years, a super extended period considering the rate of changes in other scientific technologies. The second shift redefines the fundamental nature of the neuron. It calls for a extending the Neuron Doctrine of Cajol beyond the realm of morphology to include electrophysiology.

A restated Neuron Doctrine [10.8.1]

• The neuron is the fundamental biologically sustainable unit of the nervous system. It is the minimum viable cellular structure.



• Each neuron contains one or more fundamental functional (signaling) units internally and one or more external fundamental units connecting it to an orthodromic structure.



• Each fundamental functional unit consists of an active electrolytic semiconductor device, an Activa, supported by its peripheral electrolytic components.

Although the PARADIGM SHIFT related to the neuron is completely supported by the data in the literature, it is so significant that most of the hypotheses found in journal material must be considered obsolete until they are reinterpreted. Most neuron related hypotheses in current textbooks must also be considered obsolete. The PARADIGM SHIFTS, AS A GROUP, lead to a larger set of FUNDAMENTAL PREMISES that form the foundation of this work. The basic shift related to the neuron also leads to an entirely new description of the cytology and function of the specialized photoreceptor cell of the neural system.

One premise that is fully documented in Chapter 8 [8.7]is that all known synapses are electrolytic in origin and contain an Activa.

If the reader accepts the above premises and the shifts in thinking described, it is suggested that he will be amply rewarded. Many previously undefined phenomena become quantifiable and a large group of new performance descriptors become available. The descriptors are able to describe the vision process and the neural system to a totally new degree of accuracy and precision.

A CAUTION

Because of the revolutionary nature of some of the material presented, students are encouraged to review the Cautions Page before proceeding. It has been tailored separately for K-12, lower university and higher level students.