Photoreceptors that are responsible for color vision are known as?

Study for the AP Psychology Sensation and Perception Test. Includes multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your AP exam!

Photoreceptors that are responsible for color vision are called cones. These specialized cells are concentrated in the fovea, the central part of the retina, where visual acuity is highest. Cones are sensitive to different wavelengths of light, allowing us to perceive various colors. There are three types of cones, each sensitive to different segments of the light spectrum: short wavelengths (blue), medium wavelengths (green), and long wavelengths (red). This trichromatic theory of color vision explains how color perception arises from the combination of signals from these three types of cones.

In contrast, rods are responsible for vision in low-light conditions and do not contribute to color perception. Bipolar cells and ganglion cells are types of neurons in the retina involved in transmitting signals from the photoreceptors (rods and cones) to the brain but do not themselves detect color. Thus, the designation of cones as the photoreceptors for color vision is well-supported by their functional characteristics and relationship to the overall visual processing system.

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