The Eye (WJEC GCSE Biology)

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Cara Head

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Cara Head

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The Eye

  • The eye is a sense organ containing receptors sensitive to light intensity and colour
    • Receptors are groups of specialised cells that can generate an electrical impulse in a sensory neurone
  • The purpose of the eye is to receive light and focus it onto the retina at the back of the eye
    • The retina is where the light-sensitive cells are located that allow us to see images

Eye structure diagram

eye-structure

The eye is an organ made from several different types of tissue. All of the structures function together to allow light to hit the retina, which sends signals to the brain

Functions of the parts of the eye table

Structure Function
Sclera Protective, tough white outer coat of the eye
Cornea Transparent part of the sclera that allows light to enter and refracts it as it enters the eye
Pupil Hole that allows light to enter the eye
Iris Muscles that control how much light enters the eye by changing the size of the pupil
Lens Transparent disc that can change shape to focus light onto the retina
Choroid

A pigmented layer which absorbs light to prevent reflection

Contains blood vessels
Retina

A light-sensitive layer that contains light receptor cells 

Images are formed here and impulses are sent to the optic nerve
Blind spot

The optic nerve leaves the eye here

There are no light-sensitive cells here
Optic nerve Sensory neurone that carries impulses from the retina to the brain

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Cara Head

Author: Cara Head

Expertise: Biology

Cara graduated from the University of Exeter in 2005 with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has fifteen years of experience teaching the Sciences at KS3 to KS5, and Psychology at A-Level. Cara has taught in a range of secondary schools across the South West of England before joining the team at SME. Cara is passionate about Biology and creating resources that bring the subject alive and deepen students' understanding