The Science of Seeing

Question 1

Vision

Answer 1

A large part of our brain is devoted to processing visual stimuli.

Question 2

Cornea

Answer 2

Gives the eye focusing/refracting power.

Question 3

Pupil

Answer 3

Controls the amount of light that enters the eye.

Question 4

Crystalline Light

Answer 4

Changes shape to help focus images on the retina. Focuses eye on near or far objects.

Question 5

Retina

Answer 5

Light sensitive layer that lines the back of the eye.

Question 6

Photoreceptors

Answer 6

Converts light energy into electrochemical neural impulses to the brain.

Question 7

Rods

Answer 7

Specialized photoreceptors, involved in vision during lit environments. Also the perception of movement.

Question 8

Optic nerve

Answer 8

Carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain. Visual info is sent via a number of structures to the occipital lobe at the back of the brain for processing.

Question 9

Blind spot

Answer 9

The optic nerve leaves the eye, creating a blind spot because no receptor cells are located there.

Question 10

Young-Helmholtz Trichromatic (Three-Color) Theory

Answer 10

Three receptors in the retina are responsible for the perception of color.

Question 11

Color-Deficient Vision

Answer 11

Lack of functioning red-or-green sensitive cones, missing cones that respond to certain colors.

Question 12

Opponent-Process Theory

Answer 12

Retinal processes only occur in 3-sets of opponents. Red-green complex, blue-yellow complex, black-white complex.

Question 13

Afterimage

Answer 13

Continuation of a visual sensation after its removed.

Question 14

Feature detectors

Answer 14

In the visual cortex, specialized neurons react to the strength of visual stimuli, respond to shapes, angles, edges, lines, and movement.

Question 15

Parallel processing

Answer 15

The ability of the brain to do many things at once (visual processing, color, motion, shape, and depth).