Medical The difference between simple and complex cells

[Ninjakannon]

Are complex cells in the brain physically different from simple cells or is the difference in their function/role?

 

[atyy]

They are essentially the same in their intrinsic properties, the main difference is in the synaptic inputs they receive from other neurons. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15338009 , http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15711543 .

 

[bobze]

Are complex cells in the brain physically different from simple cells or is the difference in their function/role?

All cells in the same body contain the same genetic information. Different cell types in the body "get that way" by altering the expression of genes. Liver cells (hepatocytes) have different genes "turned on" than say brain cells (neurons, glial cells etc).

All cells have certain functions always running, like sodium-potassium pumps. The other protein machinery and enzymes active in the cell are dependent upon the cells lineage and cells 'job'.

 

[Ninjakannon]

Thanks guys; atyy, that was exactly what I needed.