Interpretation of responses of visual cells of limulus

Assuming that visual responses are due to the action of particles on the membrane of the visual cells, the stochastic variability of the response should be a function of the number of particles producing it. Quantitative predictions can be made with the aid of a model proposed in previous articles. It is found that responses produced in visual cells of Limulus by absorption of a single photon have the stochastic properties which would be expected if the response to one photon were brought about by 25 particles. It is concluded from this that the processes leading to visual responses produce multiplication of particles. The effects of temperature and of metabolic poisons suggest that these processes are of chemical nature.