In the pulse-step model, which component is primarily responsible for maintaining an eccentric eye position after movement?

• A. Step
• B. Pulse
• C. Neither
• D. Both

Answer: (A)

The step component is responsible for holding the eye in its new, eccentric position after movement. The pulse provides a brief burst to drive velocity during the movement, but it ends as the movement finishes. The neural integrator converts that burst into a sustained, tonic “step” signal that keeps the eye in the new position by continuously exciting the extraocular muscles, counteracting the eye’s natural elastic drift back toward center. Without this step, the eye would gradually drift back toward the primary position once the movement is done.