IGCSE 0610 - EYES Sense organs

NOTES (2023-2025)

In dim light the pupil dilates (widens) in order to allow as much light into the eye as possible

↳ radical muscle contracts and circular muscle relaxes

In bright light the pupil constricts (narrows) in order to prevent too much light entering the eye
and damaging the retina

↳ circular muscle contracts and radial muscle relaxes

Pupil
The pupil is controlled by the circular muscle and the radial muscle

↳ They work opposite and against each other which are examples of antagonistic muscles

Rods & Cones

Photoreceptors of the retina

Includes :
↳ Rod cells - allows to see in the dark but a not differentiate colours and movement

Rod cells are found all over the retina - except blind spot and fovea

↳ Cone cells - allows to see colour but not in the dark

IGCSE 0610 - EYES Sense organs NOTES (2023-2025) 1

 There are 3 types of cone cells which are sensitive to different colours of light (red, blue and
green)

The fovea is an area on the retina where almost all of the cone cells are found

Very few at the peripheral retina

Blind spot - an area where the optic nerve attaches to the retina
↳ there are no light-sensitive cells at all in this area

Accommodation
The ability of the eye to change the thickness of the lens according to the distance of light from
an object by using contraction and relaxation of the ciliary muscles and the suspensory ligament

↳ To focus on distant objects

Lens is pulled in all directions to become thinner - this allows the light to be focused on the retina
slightly

Ciliary muscle relaxed

Suspensory ligament tight

↳ To focus on nearer objects

The lens becomes thicker - this allows the light to be focused on the retina stronger

Ciliary muscle tightens

Suspensory ligament relaxes

Suspensory
Position Ciliary muscles Muscle tension Lens shape Refraction
ligaments

Relaxed / Light is refracted

Near Contracts Low Fat / thicker
loosens strongly

Contracts / Light is refracted

Distant Relaxed High Thin
tightens slightly

Parts of the eye

IGCSE 0610 - EYES Sense organs NOTES (2023-2025) 2

 Cornea – refracts light - same function as the lens

Iris – controls how much light enters the pupil

Lens – focuses light on to the retina - same function as the cornea

Retina – contains light receptors, some sensitive to light of different colours

Optic nerve – carries impulses to the brain

IGCSE 0610 - EYES Sense organs NOTES (2023-2025) 3

IGCSE 0610 - EYES Sense organs NOTES (2023-2025) 4