What are rods and cones

Rods and cones are two types of photoreceptor cells located in the retina of the eye, responsible for converting light into neural signals that can be interpreted by the brain. 1. **Rods**: - **Function**: Rods are primarily responsible for vision in low-light conditions (scotopic vision). They are highly sensitive to light but do not detect color. - **Number**: There are about 120 million rods in the human retina. - **Distribution**: Rods are more concentrated in the peripheral regions of the retina and are absent from the fovea, the central part of the retina, which is responsible for high-acuity vision. - **Characteristics**: They contain a photopigment called rhodopsin, which is highly sensitive to light and allows for the detection of a wide range of light intensities. 2. **Cones**: - **Function**: Cones are responsible for color vision and visual acuity (sharpness of vision) in well-lit conditions (photopic vision). - **Number**: There are about 6 million cones in the human retina. - **Distribution**: Cones are predominantly located in the fovea, where they provide the most detailed visual information. - **Types**: There are three types of cones, each sensitive to different wavelengths of light, corresponding to three primary colors: red (long wavelengths), green (medium wavelengths), and blue (short wavelengths). - **Characteristics**: Cones enable our perception of color and fine detail, and they function best in bright light conditions. Together, rods and cones enable the eye to adapt to a wide range of lighting conditions and to perceive the world in both color and detail.