concept 50.3: the diverse visual receptors of animals depends on light-absorbing pigments

light detectors

can range from simple clusters of cells to complex organs that detect images, all contain photoreceptors

photoreceptors

specialized sensory cells that contain light absorbing pigment molecules

photopigments

absorbs light, is located in the photoreceptor cell of the eye

retina

where processing of visual information begins

what are the two main types of photoreceptors in the eye

rods and cones

purpose of the rods

they are more sensitive to light, allow us to perceive shades of gray, used in low light

what is the purpose of the cones

used in bright light, allows us to perceive color- 3 different types for red, green and blue

describe the photopigments in the photoreceptors in the eye

they are different in the rods and the three different cones

what causes abnormal color vision

mutations in the genes for one or more photopsin proteins

describe the experiment researchers did with squirrel monkeys

squirrel monkeys are initially red-green color blind and when researchers introduced the missing gene using a virus, their full color vision was apparent

what direction does visual information go

is it sent through the eyes to the occipital lobe of the cerebrum of the brain

the left visual field translates to what side of the brain

the right side of the brain

the right visual field translates to what side of the brain

the left side of the brain

why is color blindness more common in males

is it carried on an gene that men have more of and women have less of