Comparison between Rods and Cones

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: February 3, 2024

 

 

Aspect Rods Cones
Presence in the Retina More numerous (about 20 times more than cones) Less numerous
Location in the Retina Predominantly in the peripheral regions of the retina Concentrated in the central region of the retina (fovea)
Sensitivity to Light Highly sensitive to low light levels Less sensitive to low light, more active in bright light
Nature of vision Scotopic vision Photopic vision
Function Predominantly involved in peripheral and night vision Predominantly responsible for central and color vision
Visual Acuity Lower visual acuity (less ability to discern fine details) Higher visual acuity (better ability to discern fine details)
Color Sensitivity Mostly achromatic (sensitive to shades of light and dark) Responsible for color vision (trichromatic vision)
Pigment Type Rhodopsin Photopsin  which is a visual pigments specific to different cones
Adaptation to Bright Light Slow adaptation Rapid adaptation
Recovery Time after Light Exposure Have a  longer recovery time after exposure to bright light Shorter recovery time after exposure to bright light
Role in Dim Light Conditions Main photoreceptors in low-light conditions Limited function in low-light conditions
Role in Daylight Conditions Less active in well-lit conditions Main photoreceptors in well-lit conditions
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