AP Psych Eye Anatomy

Pupil

A small adjustable opening that dilates or constricts in response to light intensity or emotional factors

Blind spot

A small circular area at the back of the retina where the optic nerve enters the eyeball and is not sensitive to light

Fovea

A tiny pit full of cones, responsible for our sharpest vision

Lens

Behind the iris and pupil, the muscularly controlled lens focuses incoming light into an image on the light sensitive retina.

Cornea

Light first enters through the cornea, which helps focus incoming rays.

Retina

Light waves are detected and transduced into neuron signals by vision receptors (rods and cones) Located on the back surface of the eye

Iris

Muscles in the iris allow the movement of the pupil

Cones

Visual receptors adapted for color, daytime, and detailed vision. Sensitive to many wavelengths but maximally sensitive to red, green, and blue

Rods

Visual receptors that detect white, black and gray and are responsible for peripheral vision Most important for dim light and at night

Ganglion cells

rods and cones go through to connect at the center of the retina

Bipolar cells

specialized sensory neurons for the transmission of special senses