[Overlapping of optical answers for cross-like figures and oriented bars in the cats primary visual cortex].

For the first time by the optical method the population activity of neurons in cat primary visual cortex was observed simultaneously for detectors participating in analysis of first-order (orientation) and second-order (line intersection) features. The maps for cross-like figures and oriented single bars were compared. The comparative analysis allowed us to estimate the degree of overlapping of the activated regions and parts of cortex that were free from overlap. Overlapping zones provided the evidence for the fact that neuronal detectors for line intersections are located in the same neuronal columns as neurons detecting orientations. Differences were observed between maps for vertically oriented and oblique crosses. Those differences were pronounced not only in topography but also in degree of overlapping of activity zones. This may evidence on different contribution of neurons detecting basic and intermediate orientations.