Simple Cell Properties

1.  no or little response to diffuse light
2.  light slit or dark bar or edge is the best stimulus
3.  orientation critical (all orientations are represented)
4.  width critical
5.  on/excitatory and off/inhibitory regions
6.  may be sensitive to direction of movement
7.  shows summation at all orientations

Complex Cell Properties

1.  usually a larger receptive field than a simple cell at the same eccentricity
2.  best stimulus is a slit edge or dark bar
3.  orientation and width critical
4.  exact position of bar not important - generalizes:
    a.  in field
    b.  correct orientation
5.  often sensitive to direction of motion, moreso than simple cell
6.  no easy division into inhibitory/excitatory areas.