Photorezeptorenschicht

The Photorezeptorenschicht, also known as the photoreceptor layer, is the light-sensitive layer within the retina of the eye. It contains specialized cells called photoreceptors, which are responsible for converting light into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as vision. There are two main types of photoreceptors: rods and cones.

Rods are highly sensitive to light and are primarily responsible for vision in low-light conditions, also known as scotopic vision. They are more numerous than cones and are distributed throughout the retina, particularly in the peripheral areas. Rods do not detect color.

Cones are less sensitive to light but are responsible for color vision and sharp visual acuity in bright light conditions, known as photopic vision. There are three types of cones, each sensitive to different wavelengths of light: red, green, and blue. Cones are concentrated in the fovea, the central part of the retina, which is responsible for detailed central vision.

When light strikes the photoreceptors, it triggers a complex biochemical cascade that leads to a change in the electrical potential of the cell. This electrical signal is then processed by other neurons in the retina before being transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve. The photorezeptorenschicht is therefore crucial for the initial step of visual perception.