Cones detect color.

Cones detect color.

• A. Night vision
• B. Depth
• C. Motion
• D. Color

Answer: (D)

Cones are the retina’s color-detecting photoreceptors and are responsible for color vision and high-acuity vision in bright light. There are three cone types, each most sensitive to different parts of the spectrum (roughly short, medium, and long wavelengths). By comparing signals from these cone types, the brain interprets a range of colors. In low light, cones become less active and rods take over, but rods do not convey color information. Motion and depth use other cues and pathways, so color perception is specifically tied to cone activity. This is why cones detect color.

Cones are the retina’s color-detecting photoreceptors and are responsible for color vision and high-acuity vision in bright light. There are three cone types, each most sensitive to different parts of the spectrum (roughly short, medium, and long wavelengths). By comparing signals from these cone types, the brain interprets a range of colors. In low light, cones become less active and rods take over, but rods do not convey color information. Motion and depth use other cues and pathways, so color perception is specifically tied to cone activity. This is why cones detect color.