Rods and Cones

Cones

cone shaped receptors in the retina that are primarily responsible in high levels of illumination and for color vision and detail vision.

Low sensitivity, high acuity

Rods

a cylinder shaped receptor in the retina that is responsible for vision at low levels of illumination

High sensitivity, low acuity

How can the neural wiring that underlies rods and cones explain their differences?

There are several rods attached to one ganglion cell, making the rods more light sensitive since they need less stimulation in each rod to fully activate the ganglion cell. To oppose, cones are individually attached to each ganglion cell, requiring the cone to be fully stimulated in order to activate the ganglion cell.

What is the distribution of rods and cones across the retina?

Highest concentration of cones in the fovea (0 degrees, 160,000 receptors)
Highest concentration of rods (about at 20 degrees, about 160,000)
No receptors in the blind spot (about 12-18 degrees)