Path of Light Through the Human Eye

Cornea

Protects the eye and bends light to focus.

Pupil

Adjustable opening for light entry in the eye.

Iris

Muscle controlling pupil size and eye color.

Lens

Transparent structure that focuses images on retina.

Retina

Light-sensitive inner surface containing receptor cells.

Fovea

Central point in retina with high cone concentration.

Blind Spot

Point where optic nerve exits; no receptor cells.

Optic Nerve

Carries neural impulses from eye to brain.

Rods

Receptor cells for black, white, and peripheral vision.

Cones

Receptor cells for color and fine detail detection.

Bipolar Cells

Cells connecting rods and cones to the optic nerve.

Thalamus

Brain structure relaying visual information to cortex.

Visual Cortex

Occipital lobe area processing visual information.

Transduction

Conversion of stimulus energy into neural impulses.

Sensation

Detection of stimuli through sensory receptors.

Perception

Interpretation and organization of sensory information.

Selective Attention

Focusing on specific stimuli while ignoring others.

Cocktail Party Effect

Ability to focus on one conversation in noise.

Inattentional Blindness

Failing to notice visible objects when focused elsewhere.

Change Blindness

Inability to detect changes in the environment.

Difference Threshold

Minimum difference required to detect a change.

Weber's Law

Perception of change is proportional to original stimulus.

Priming

Exposure to stimuli influences response to subsequent stimuli.

Subliminal Signal

Stimulus below conscious awareness threshold.

Frequency

Number of waves per second in light or sound.

Amplitude

Height of wave indicating intensity of stimulus.