TITLE: The Eye

AIM: To investigate the pupilary reflex of the eye under various light conditions.

INTRODUCTION: The images which we see are made up of light rays reflected off objects we look at. The
light rays enter the eye through the cornea, which acts like a window at the front of the eye. The
amount of light entering the eye is controlled by the pupil, which is surrounded by the iris (the coloured
part of the eye), due to the front part of the eye being curved, it bends the light rays, causing them to
focus on a point called the retina, which creates an upside down image on the it. This causes the rods
and cones to be stimulated, which causes them to send impulses along the optic nerve to the brain,
where the impulses are processed, and the brain eventually turns the image the right way up, therefore
allowing us to see.

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS: A-Test Subject B-A Flash Light

METHOD:

1- Either with a partner or your own eyes were used to conduct the experiment.

2-The individual sat in a darkened room and looked directly forward.

3-A torch was brought near to one eye and the pupil was observed in both bright and dark/dim
conditions.

4-Observations were made and recorded.

DIAGRAM:
RESULTS:

Pupil in Bright Condition Pupil in Dim/Dark Condition

Pupil got constricts(got smaller) Pupil got dilated(got bigger)
TABLE SHOWING RESULTS OBTAINED WHEN OBSERVING HE EFFECT ON THE PUPIL(S) IN BRIGHT AND
DIM/DARK CONDITIONS

DISCUSSION: In the bright condition, the pupil constricted, this was due to the circular muscles of the
iris contracting, whilst the radial muscles relax, which allowed less light to enter the eye. In the dim/dark
condition the opposite occurs, where the circular muscles of the iris relax, whilst the radial muscles
contracted, which allowed more light to pass into the eye.

SOURCE OF ERROR: 1-The mirror used to see he reflection was defected, leading to inaccurate
observations.

PRECAUTION: 1-The eye must be entirely covered by the hand, to prevent light from entering the pupil,
in order to give the most accurate result.

LIMITATION: 1-The eye was unhealthy, which causes the eye to be unable to perform its function,
therefore leading to inaccurate results.

CONCLUSION: The pupil constricted in the bright light condition and dilated in the dim/dark condition.

REFLECTION: This experiment was interesting as I learnt about how the pupil reacts in different light
conditions, and the processes which occur to produce these reactions.