Structure and Functioning of Human Eye

assignment
Introduction to Psychology
Instructor: Prof. Atif Ramzan
SUBMITTED BY: Muhammad atif

21-UON-0926
Structure and Functioning of Human Eye
Structure of the Human Eye:
The human eye is a complex organ that allows us to see and interpret the world around us. Here’s
an overview of its structure:
1. Cornea
 Structure: The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the
eye. It is composed of five layers: the epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's
membrane, and endothelium.
 Function: It plays a crucial role in focusing vision. The cornea refracts or bends light as
it enters the eye, contributing to about two-thirds of the eye's total optical power.
2. Sclera
 Structure: The sclera is the white, opaque part of the eye. It is made of dense, fibrous
connective tissue.
 Function: It provides structural support and protection for the inner components of the
eye. It also serves as an attachment point for the extraocular muscles, which control eye
movement.
3. Iris
 Structure: The iris is the colored part of the eye, located behind the cornea and in front
of the lens. It contains muscles that adjust the size of the pupil.
 Function: It controls the diameter of the pupil and, consequently, the amount of light that
enters the eye. In bright light, the muscles constrict the pupil (miosis), and in low light,
they dilate it (mydriasis).
4. Pupil
 Structure: The pupil is the black circular opening in the center of the iris.
 Function: It regulates the amount of light that enters the eye by changing size in response
to light intensity. This is controlled by the iris muscles.
5. Lens
 Structure: The lens is a transparent, biconvex structure situated behind the iris and in
front of the vitreous humor. It is held in place by zonular fibers (suspensory ligaments)
attached to the ciliary body.
 Function: It focuses light onto the retina by changing shape through a process called
accommodation. The lens becomes thicker to focus on near objects and thinner for distant
objects.
6. Retina
 Structure: The retina is a thin layer of tissue lining the back of the eye. It contains
several layers, including photoreceptor cells (rods and cones), bipolar cells, and ganglion
cells.
 Function: The retina captures light and converts it into electrical signals. Rods are
responsible for vision in low light and peripheral vision, while cones are responsible for
color vision and visual acuity.
7. Macula and Fovea
 Structure: The macula is a small, central area of the retina that is rich in cones. The
fovea is the center of the macula.
 Function: The macula provides sharp, detailed central vision. The fovea, being the most
sensitive part of the retina, is responsible for the highest visual acuity and color
perception.
8. Optic Nerve
 Structure: The optic nerve is a bundle of more than a million nerve fibers that connects
the retina to the brain.
 Function: It transmits visual information from the retina to the brain, where it is
processed into images.
9. Choroid
 Structure: The choroid is a vascular layer between the retina and the sclera. It is rich in
blood vessels.
 Function: It supplies oxygen and nutrients to the retina and removes waste products.
10. Aqueous Humor
 Structure: A clear, watery fluid found in the anterior chamber (between the cornea and
the lens).
 Function: It maintains intraocular pressure, provides nutrients to avascular parts of the
eye (like the lens and cornea), and removes metabolic wastes.
11. Vitreous Humor
 Structure: A clear, gel-like substance that fills the space between the lens and the retina.
 Function: It helps maintain the eye's shape and optical properties, providing a pathway
for light to reach the retina.
Detailed Process of Vision
1. Light Entry and Refraction:

o Light enters the eye through the cornea, which bends (refracts) the light rays. The
amount of bending depends on the curvature of the cornea.
2. Pupil Adjustment:
o The iris adjusts the size of the pupil to control the amount of light entering the
eye. In bright light, the pupil constricts to reduce light intake, and in dim light, it
dilates to increase light intake.
3. Lens Accommodation:
o The lens changes shape to further focus the light rays onto the retina. The ciliary
muscles contract or relax to make the lens thicker for near vision or thinner for
distant vision.
4. Formation of the Image on the Retina:

o The focused light reaches the retina, where it forms an inverted image.
Photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) detect the light and convert it into electrical
signals.
5. Phototransduction:
o Rods, which are more sensitive to low light levels, provide black-and-white
vision. Cones, which function best in bright light, provide color vision and detail.
There are three types of cones, each sensitive to different wavelengths of light
(red, green, and blue).
6. Signal Transmission:
o The electrical signals from the photoreceptors are processed by bipolar cells and
ganglion cells in the retina. The axons of the ganglion cells form the optic nerve.
7. Image Processing in the Brain:

o The optic nerve carries the electrical signals to the visual cortex of the brain. The
brain processes these signals, correcting the inverted image and integrating the
information from both eyes to create a single, three-dimensional perception of the
visual scene.
In conclusion, by coordinating the functions of these various components, the human eye allows
us to see the world in vivid detail, color, and depth.

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assignment

Instructor: Prof. Atif Ramzan

SUBMITTED BY: Muhammad atif

7. Macula and Fovea

10. Aqueous Humor

11. Vitreous Humor

1. Light Entry and Refraction:

4. Formation of the Image on the Retina:

7. Image Processing in the Brain:

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