SEEING
Light passes through the cornea and the pupil, is focused by the lens into the vitreous
humor, and is projected onto the back wall of the eye, which is called the retina. The retina
is made up of several layers of cells. It is on the back of the retina where images are cap-
tured, much like film in a camera.
Two kinds of light-sensitive receptor cells, called rods and cones, convert light into “mes-
sages.” These “messages” are sent to the brain via the optic nerve.
Each eye has what is called a blind spot. This is where the optic nerve leaves the eye and
there are no rods or cones. One does not usually notice the blind spot in each eye because
the left eye sees what the right eye misses and vice versa. Rod cells enable us to see in
dim light. Rod cells perceive black, white, and grays, but no color. At night, it is the rod
cells that enable us to see in black, white, and shades of gray. Cone cells do not respond to
dim light but do allow us to see colors in a lighted environment. They also detect fine
details. There are about 125 million rods and 6 million cones in each retina. They help us
see between 150 and 200 different colors!
Houston Chronicle Activity:
Look through the Houston Chronicle for 5 pictures or ads that you would be able to
see with only rod cells. Then find 5 pictures or ads for which you would need cone cells.
HOW IS THE EYE LIKE A CAMERA?
Even though the eye is much more complex than a camera, they share a lot of similarities.
This is a good analogy that can help explain how the eye functions.
EYE
The lens and cornea focus light onto the back of the retina.
Muscles change the shape of the lens to focus the image.
The muscles in the iris regulate the amount of light that reaches
the retina.
As light enters the eye and passes trough the lens and cornea,
it refracts, or bends. When the light refracts, it turns the image
upside down and backward onto the retina.
Houston Chronicle Activity:
A newspaper photographer uses his camera to capture what the reader’s eye would
see. Find an article that is accompanied by a photograph on the front page of the
Houston Chronicle. How does the photograph add to the information in the article?
What details do you find in the photograph that are not part of the article?
Houston Chronicle Activity:
Advertisers use colors to help appeal to consumers. Find an advertisement that uses
color in an especially appealing way. How many different colors does the advertisement
use? Why do you think these colors are appealing to consumers?
Find Your Blind Spot! The blind spot is a spot in your eye where the optic nerve
enters from your brain and there are no rods or cones. Watch your blind spot make the C
disappear.
1. Take a blank sheet of paper (8 1/2” by 11”).
2. Cut out the capital H in the masthead of the Houston Chronicle.
3. Paste it about 2/3 of the way down the page, 3 inches from the right hand edge of
the paper.
4. Cut out the capital letter C. Paste it 3 inches to the left of the H.
5. Hold the sheet of paper at an arm’s length.
6. Close your right eye and focus on the H with your left eye. You will still see the C out
of the corner of your eye.
7. Slowly move the worksheet closer to your eyes (while keeping your right eye closed.)
The C will briefly disappear. When the C disappears, the image is focused on your
blind spot.
TEKS
Science Concepts
The student knows the relationship between structure and function in living systems.
The student is expected to
 differentiate between structure and function
 determine that all organisms are composed of cells that carry on functions to
sustain life
 identify how structure complements function at different levels of organization
including organs, organ systems, organisms, and populations
CAMERA
The lens focuses light onto a light-sensitive surface called film.
The lens of a camera can be moved back or forward to focus images.
The aperture, like the iris, regulates the amount of light that reaches
the retina.
Light that enters the camera refracts and turns images upside down
and backward onto the film.
Find a picture of a camera in the Houston Chronicle. Label the parts that you can see
in the picture. Then tell how each of those parts is similar to or different from the eye.
Use the chart above to help you make the comparisons.
3.
ACUITY
People have a range of visual function and acuity. Acuity is clearness or sharpness of vision.
Doctors measure vision with a series of tests and instruments, including an eye chart. The
standard for excellent vision is called 20/20. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see an
object clearly from 20 feet, with both the left and right eye, that a person with normal, or Monocular vision
unimpaired, vision can also see clearly from 20 feet.

MONOCULAR vs. BINOCULAR VISION

Humans are able to see with both eyes. We call this binocular vision. Both the left and
right eye send signals to the brain, producing one picture. Some animal species have one-
eyed vision, or monocular vision, which means their eyes see the world separately and pro-
duce two pictures rather than one. Most birds have monocular vision. Animals, such as
birds, have monocular vision because their eyes are on opposite sides of the face and point
in opposite directions. Other animals, such as humans, have binocular vision because both
eyes are in the front of the face, and the eyes point in the same direction.

Binocular vision is responsible for depth perception. Depth perception is especially impor-
tant for athletes who must quickly and accurately judge the distance between the player, the
ball, the opponents, teammates, boundary lines, and other objects.
Binocular vision
Houston Chronicle Activity:
 Use the Sports section of the Houston Chronicle to find mention of teams or individ-
uals who rely on depth perception in their sports. Explain how the teams or athletes you
chose use depth perception in their competition.

Look through the Classified Ads section of the Houston Chronicle to find two or three
jobs that might require 20/20 vision or for which 20/20 vision might be an advantage.
Explain how performance in those jobs would be enhanced by visual acuity.

PERIPHERAL VISION
Our eyes are amazing machines that have a wide range of vision, called peripheral vision.
They are able to focus on one thing while still perceiving the world to either side. Even
though it is impossible for us to see what is going on behind us without turning our heads,
humans can generally see objects in a 180 degree semi-circle in front of us. When someone
mentions that he saw something “out of the corner of his eye,” he is often speaking about
his peripheral vision. Different species have different ranges of peripheral vision.

Peripheral vision can be very important to an athlete, who must sometimes look in one
direction but be aware of what is happening to either side.

Houston Chronicle Activity:

Look through the Sports section of the Houston Chronicle to find articles about a
sport that requires good peripheral vision or about an athlete who needs to be aware of
everything that is going on around him or her. Explain how peripheral vision is useful in
this sport or to this particular athlete.

4.
 DOMINANT EYE
You already know that most of us have a dominant hand, which accounts for being left-
handed or right-handed. We also generally have a dominant foot, which means that each of
us chooses to kick a ball with the foot that is stronger and easier to control. Most of us also
have a dominant eye, the eye that is usually stronger and is the eye that is favored by the
brain for most tasks. Some people are ambi-ocular, which means that they do not have a
dominant eye! Other people (about 5% of the population) are cross-dominant, which means
that they are right-handed but left-eyed or vice-versa.

Houston Chronicle Activity:

Look through the Houston Chronicle and cut out a picture. Paste it in the middle of a
blank sheet of paper. Tape the sheet of paper to a wall, and stand about ten (10) feet
away from the sheet of paper.
1. To find your dominant eye, extend one arm in front of you and make a circle with your
thumb and index finger (basically you are making a OK sign with your hand.)
2. Keep both eyes open and hold your hand so that the picture appears inside the circle
of your thumb and index finger. The picture may appear fuzzy, which is okay.
3. Now close your right eye. Is the picture still inside the circle or does your hand
appear to have moved to the side? Try closing your left eye. What happens now?
4. The eye that keeps the picture inside the circle is your dominant eye.
Test several people and record the results of your experiment. Then make a bar graph
that shows your results.

TEKS
ANIMALS’ VISION Scientific Processes

Animals have different ways of viewing their surrounding world. Some animals, like birds, The student uses critical thinking and scientific problem solving to
have monocular vision. Other animals, like cats, have excellent night vision. It is hard for us make informed decisions. The student is expected to
to know whether an animal can see color or not. One way scientists determine if animals  represent the natural world using models and identify
see color is to look at the animal itself. Animals that are very colorful can probably see in their limitations
color. Color is very important in some species when one animal courts another.

Houston Chronicle Activity:

Look through the Houston Chronicle and cut out pictures or drawings of both human
and animal eyes. Compare the eyes of the animals to those of humans in the following
ways:
What is the size of the eyes compared to the size of the head?
Where are the eyes placed (on the sides of the head or in front)?
From the placement of the eyes, do you think the animal has monocular or binocular
vision?
If the eyes belong to an animal, do you think that animal can see color? Explain your
answers.

TEKS
Scientific Processes
The student uses scientific inquiry methods during field and laboratory
investigations. The student is expected to
 analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable
explanations from direct and indirect evidence
 communicate valid conclusions

5.