Waves, Visual Perception, and Transduction (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering waves, vision, and transduction concepts from the notes.

Transduction

The process by which sensory receptors convert environmental energy (such as light or sound) into neural signals that the brain can interpret.

Light waves

Visible-range electromagnetic waves that travel through air and enable vision.

Visual system

The sensory system involved in detecting and processing visual information.

Retina

The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye where photoreceptors reside and transduction occurs.

Photoreceptors

Retinal cells that detect light and initiate transduction—rods and cones.

Rods

Photoreceptors that operate in dim light, providing peripheral and grayscale vision but not color information.

Cones

Photoreceptors responsible for color vision and high-acuity daytime vision.

Stimulus

Any physical energy or event that excites a sense organ and triggers a sensory response.

Perception

The brain's interpretation of sensory information to form meaningful experiences.

Attentional filtering

The brain's process of selecting relevant stimuli to process and disregarding others.