Psychology 2115A/B Chapter Notes -Lateral Inhibition, Visual Acuity, Visual Cortex
28 Feb 2014
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Differences in light sensitivity in rods and cones. Rods are much more sensitive to darkness, while cones are less sensitive. In dark adaptation, the cones are used to start the adaptation, after about 7-10 min the rods sensitivity occurs and creates a lower threshold, that slows the peak sensitivity. Vitamin a produces retinal which is essential to our vision. Start with an observer in good light adaptation, and once it is dark you adjust a light until you can just barely see it to measure sensitivity in dark. Observer looking at fixation point, but still have light in the periphery, this light deals with both lights and cones. To find cones sensitivity, put a light that stimulates only cones. There is a spot on the retina that you can use to focus on that will give you your sensitivity to cones. To find rod sensitivity, need to find a rod monochromat, which is someone who has a deficiency of cones.
