Retina and Visual Receptor Cells

Retina

• Compares to a digital camera with approximately $126$ million receptor cells (pixels).
• Receptor cells convert electromagnetic light energy into a form the nervous system can process.

Visual Receptor Cells

• Rods:
  • Sensitive to light but not useful for color vision.
  • Function well in low light (night).
  • Approximately $120$ million rods.
• Cones:
  • Used for color perception.
  • Require more light than rods, operating best in daylight or high illumination.
  • Approximately $6$ million cones.