KEY POINTS

1. The eye's anatomy is adapted to the eye's role as a visual receptor organ.

2. Through the process of accommodation, the lens changes shape to focus images from various distances onto the retina.

3. The vertebrate retina consists of five major cell types.

4. The fovea solves a distortion problem found in other areas of the retina.

5. Pigment behind the retina either absorbs or reflects light, depending on the animal's habits.

6. Photoreception and transduction of light occur in the rods and cones.

7. The response of the photoreceptor to light is Synaptically transmitted to the ganglion cells by the bipolar cells.

8. The electroretinogram records the electrical response of the retina to a flashing light.

9. Ganglion cell axons transmit action potentials to the visual cortex by way of the lateral geniculate nucleus.

10. The diameter of the pupil is controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

11. The retina, optic nerve, and autonomic nerve supply controlling the pupil can be tested with a flashlight.

12. Aqueous humor determines intraocular pressure.