How Humans See Color: Eyes, Rods, Cones, Anatomy

This podcast explores the eyes as key sensory organs that convert visible light into signals for the brain to "build" the picture you see. It details eye anatomy, including the cornea, lens, retina, iris, pupil, and optic nerve, which work together to focus light and transmit information. A central focus is on photoreceptors within the retina: rods and cones.

Rods are highly sensitive, enabling low-light and night vision, primarily seeing in shades of gray and contributing to peripheral vision. Cones are responsible for color vision and perceiving fine details in bright light. Humans typically have three types of cones sensitive to red, green, and blue light. When light reflects off objects, it activates these cones, and the signals are sent via the optic nerve to the visual cortex in the brain, which decodes them to create our perception of color. The process allows humans to distinguish millions of colors, with some individuals potentially having tetrachromacy. The overview also touches on conditions like color blindness, which occurs when cones don't function properly. Maintaining eye health through regular exams and proper nutrition is also highlighted.