Differences between Rods and Cones

Question 1

Rods:

Shape

Answer 1

Outer segment is rod shaped

Question 2

Cones:

Shape

Answer 2

Outer segment is cone shaped

Question 3

Rods:

Density

Answer 3

Occur in greater numbers (120 million)

Question 4

Cones:

Density

Answer 4

Occur in lower numbers (6-7 million)

Question 5

Rods:

Distribution

Answer 5

Distributed almost evenly but none at fovea

Question 6

Cones:

Distribution

Answer 6

Concentrated around the fovea (90% are at the fovea)

Question 7

Rods:

Convergence

Answer 7

Show retinal convergence

Question 8

Cones:

Convergence

Answer 8

Each cell is connected to its own bipolar neurone

Question 9

Rods:

Visual acuity

Answer 9

Poor

Question 10

Cones:

Visual acuity

Answer 10

Good

Question 11

Rods:

Light intensity required/day night vision

Answer 11

Sensitive to low intensity light so mostly used for night vision

Question 12

Cones:

Light intensity required/day or night vision

Answer 12

Require high intensity light so mostly used for day vision

Question 13

Rods:

Colour vision

Answer 13

Not sensitive to colour

Question 14

Cones:

Colour vision

Answer 14

Sensitive to colour

Question 15

Rods:

Pigment

Answer 15

Pigment is rhodopsin which has a single form

Question 16

Cones:

Pigment

Answer 16

Pigment is iodopsin which occurs in 3 forms