Eye

Question 1

Name the structural features that distinguishes the “blind spot” from other parts of the neural retina (2) [x5]

Answer 1

No photoreceptor cells and other neuronal cell bodies; exit point of optic nerve/retinal ganglion cell axons

Question 2

The “blind spot” is not normally perceived in the field of vision. Give a brief explanation for this (2) [x5]

Answer 2

The visual centres in the brain extrapolate visual information through binocular vision and from the areas of the visual field adjacent to the “blind spot” to fill the space of the receptor-free area

Question 3

List the major functional differences between the rod & cone photoreceptor systems in the human eye (3)

Answer 3

High vs low sensitivity; sensitivity to most of the spectral range of visible light vs. selective sensitivity – “red”, “green”, “blue” cones; generation of low definition vs high definition image