Second order neuron in optic pathway
**Core Concept**
The optic pathway involves the transmission of visual signals from the retina to the brain, involving multiple neurons. The second-order neuron in this pathway is responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The second-order neuron in the optic pathway is the ganglion cell of the retina. These cells have large dendritic fields that cover multiple photoreceptors, allowing them to integrate visual information from multiple sources. The axons of the ganglion cells form the optic nerve, which transmits visual signals to the LGN. The LGN then relays this information to the primary visual cortex for further processing.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because the first-order neuron in the optic pathway is the bipolar cell, not the second-order neuron.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect because the amacrine cell is a type of interneuron that does not transmit visual information to the LGN.
* **Option C:** This option is incorrect because the horizontal cell is a type of interneuron that helps to regulate the sensitivity of photoreceptors, but it is not the second-order neuron in the optic pathway.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to remember that the optic nerve carries visual information from the retina to the LGN, while the optic tract carries visual information from the LGN to the primary visual cortex.
**Correct Answer:** C.