  We analyzed the electrophysiological response of an isolated rod
photoreceptor of Xenopus laevis under stimulation by coherent and
pseudo-thermal light sources. Using the suction electrode technique for single
cell recordings and a fiber optics setup for light delivery allowed
measurements of the major statistical characteristics of the rod response. The
results indicate differences in average responses of rod cells to coherent and
pseudo-thermal light of the same intensity and also differences in
signal-to-noise ratios and second order intensity correlation functions. These
findings should be relevant for interdisciplinary studies seeking applications
of quantum optics in biology.
