Introduction to Vision

Question 1

what is the role of the visual system?

Answer 1

to extract useful features from light signals to help guide animal behavior to optimize their survival and reproductive opportunities.
useful features - color, depth, motion, size

Question 2

retina

Answer 2

back layer of the eyes containing a variety of cells and glia
made up of photoreceptors, RGCs, bipolar cells, horizontal cells, and amacrine cells

Question 3

photoreceptors

Answer 3

cells that detect photons and convert them into electrical signals
types: rods and cones
input layer of neurons

Question 4

rods

Answer 4

photoreceptors responsible for dim light vision
highly sensitive
one can detect a single photon of light
dispersed more around the eye

Question 5

cones

Answer 5

photoreceptors responsible for color vision
three types: S (detects blue light), M (detects green light), and L (detects red light)
located in the fovea (center of the retina)

Question 6

retinal ganglion cells (RGCs)

Answer 6

transmit information from the eye to the brain

allow for the establishment of receptive fields