PSYC 212 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Hermann Von Helmholtz, Multiple Sclerosis, Photochromism
8 Dec 2013
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Chapter 9 - the visual system: retinal processing and early vision. Introduction: retina: thin film of cells lining with the inside back wall of the eyeball. 3 dimensions (previous chapter): all vertebrates have retina made up of similar type of cells, dominant cells in retina = neurons. Forms an outgrowth of central nervous system invading eyeball during embryonic development. Lens were thought to be the main element of vision: the photoreceptor array, image is projected on on the outer margin of the retina. Along the margin, photoreceptors are found where the first events in vision occur. They are within the fibrous matrix holding eyeball together. They are light-absorbing elements (first event in vision; light absorption) Function as transducing elements: convert the energy of light into signals later processed by other neurons in the retina: photoreceptors lie on cells called pigment epithelium. Contain pigmented material absorbing stray light (light not captured by photoreceptors)
