W4 Physiology of Vision (part done) Flashcards
a particle of electromagnetic radiation is called what?
a photon
do shorter or longer wavelengths of photons contain more energy?
shorter
vision is the perception of light, what is the visible spectrum?
400-700nm (based on human vision)
the vertebrate eye has a lens system, what does this aid?
focus light from objects in the environment onto the retina (where the sensory cells are located) and transmits information to the brain where the image is interpreted
what is visual acuity?
a measure of the ability of the eye to distinguish shapes and details of an object at a given distance
what are the ciliary bodies?
thickened anterior parts of the choroid, contain circular and longitudinal muscle fibers that produce aqueous humour
what is the iris?
it is pigmented and opaque and contains constrictors of the pupil (circular) and dilators of the pupil (radial)
what is vitreous humour?
a gelatinous substance between the lens and retina
what is aqueous humour?
a clear liquid that nourishes the cornea and lens
what is the filtration angle (schlemm’s canal)?
at the junction between the iris and cornea, which drains aqueous humour
what is the sclera?
part of the globe wall - the outer layer of tough connective tissue which merges with the cornea
what is the cornea?
the transparaent layer of the globe wall at the fron t that is for physical protection, refraction of light and is highly sensitive
what is the choroid?
the vascularised middle layer of the globe wall
what is the retina?
the innermost layer of the globe wall containing sensory cells and neurones
light rays refract when passing from one medium to another due to what?
difference in density
parallel light rays striking a biconvex lens are refracted to a point behind the lens called what?
the principle focus
what is refractive index?
the ratio between the speed of light in a vacuum and in the material
what is principle focal distance?
the distance between the lens and principle focus
what lenses diverge light and what lenses converge light?
biconcave = diverge light
biconvex = converge light
what is the unit of refractive power of a lens measured in meters?
dioptres (a dioptre is the reciprocal of the principle focal distance)