Question 1

If your friend is wearing a red shirt, you are able to detect the shirt's redness because ____.

Accepted Answer

The color red is being reflected by the shirt, while all other colors of light are being absorbed by the shirt. Our eyes detect the reflected red light, which allows us to perceive the shirt's redness.

Question 2

Which progression describes the correct sequence of structures involved in vision?

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence of structures involved in vision is from the cornea to the lens to the retina. The cornea and lens both refract and focus incoming light onto the retina, which contains the photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) that convert the light into electrical signals that are sent to the brain for processing. The sclera is the white outer layer of the eye that provides support and protection but is not directly involved in vision.

Question 3

Saturation of light is to ____, as amplitude of light is to ____.

Accepted Answer

Saturation of light refers to the purity of the color, while amplitude of light is related to the brightness of the light.

Question 4

You are working for a computer manufacturer where you are trying to develop new monitors that can project a wider range of colors. In working on this task, you need to keep in mind that the visible spectrum of light for humans is ____.

Accepted Answer

The visible spectrum of light for humans is typically considered to range from 360 nm (violet) to 750 nm (red). Option A and B are too narrow and don't include the full range of visible colors, while option D includes some non-visible UV light. Therefore, option C is the best choice.

Question 5

The wavelength of light determines its ____, and the amplitude of light determines its ____.

Accepted Answer

The wavelength of light determines its hue (color), and the amplitude of light determines its brightness.

Question 6

Unlike humans, certain animals can see infrared and/or ultraviolet rays because of their ____.

Accepted Answer

Animals that can see infrared and/or ultraviolet rays have a higher sensitivity to a wider range of electromagnetic energy. This means that their visual system is capable of detecting light with longer or shorter wavelengths than the visible spectrum that humans can perceive.

Question 7

Concha damaged her corneas in a car accident. What effect will this injury most likely have on her vision?

Accepted Answer

Cornea damage can cause various vision problems such as blurriness, light sensitivity, and distortion. Concha's vision is most likely to be affected, and she may not be able to see clearly. Color blindness and blindness are not the most likely outcomes of cornea damage.

Question 8

When the lens of the eye is adjusted to focus on near and far objects, this is called ____.

Accepted Answer

The adjustment of the lens of the eye to focus on near and far objects is called accommodation. Compensation refers to making up for a deficiency or loss, assimilation is the process of incorporating new information into existing knowledge, and closure refers to the brain's ability to fill in missing information to create a complete image.

Question 9

The pupil is _________________.

Accepted Answer

The pupil is specifically defined as the opening or aperture through which light passes into the center of the eye.

Question 10

Which statement is TRUE regarding the retina?

Accepted Answer

The retina is structured in such a way that light must pass through several layers of neurons and other cells before reaching the photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) that capture light signals. These signals are then processed and passed back through the layers to the optic nerve.

Question 11

Just as the iris controls the size of the pupil, ____ control the shape of the lens.

Accepted Answer

The ciliary muscles control the shape of the lens in order to adjust the focus of the eye. The sclera is the white outer layer of the eye, the cornea is the clear outer layer that covers the iris and pupil, and there is no such thing called "vision strands."

Question 12

Rods and cones send visual information to the optic nerve through which type of cell?

Accepted Answer

Bipolar cells are specialized neurons that receive information from the rods and cones and transfer it to the ganglion cells in the retina, which then send this information to the brain via the optic nerve.

Question 13

When painting your house, you end up choosing a bright color over a dim color. You can be sure that the electromagnetic energy coming from the brighter color is characterized by ____ than the light from the dim color.

Accepted Answer

Brighter colors are characterized by higher frequency (shorter wavelength) light, which corresponds to taller peaks in the electromagnetic wave. Dim colors have lower frequency (longer wavelength) light, which corresponds to shorter peaks in the electromagnetic wave.

Question 14

Lena is studying the properties of light in a laboratory. If she increases the amplitude of the light waves she is studying, what effect will this have on her perception of the light?

Accepted Answer

The amplitude of the light waves determines the intensity or brightness of the light. Therefore, increasing the amplitude will make the light appear brighter to Lena.

Question 15

The lens of the eye has a primary function of ____.

Accepted Answer

The lens of the eye's primary function is to focus the light that enters the eye onto the back of the eye, onto the retina. This allows for clear vision and perception of the visual environment. While the lens also plays a role in letting in appropriate amounts of light, protecting the eye against foreign objects, and detecting colors, these are not its primary function.

Question 16

Jamal is preparing to clean his oven when he accidentally sprays himself in the eyes with oven cleaner. The caustic chemical damages the outside covering of his eyes where the light enters. Jamal has most likely injured his ____.

Accepted Answer

The cornea is the outermost covering of the eye that protects the delicate structures inside and allows light to enter. It is the most likely structure to be damaged by a caustic chemical like oven cleaner. The iris, lens, and fovea are located deeper inside the eye and are less likely to be affected by external injury.

Question 17

Which part of the eye is a supporting structure that does not play a role in vision?

Accepted Answer

The sclera is the white, tough, outer layer of the eye that provides support and protects the inner structures. While it is important for the overall structure of the eye, it does not play a direct role in vision. The iris, lens, and cornea are all directly involved in focusing light onto the retina to create the image we see.

Question 18

Herb, an artist who works with colored lights, likes to use saturated colors. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Saturated colors refer to pure colors that are not mixed with white or black. Herb likes to use these pure colors in his work with colored lights.

Question 19

What can we say is happening to the light waves that hit a hat we see as purple?

Accepted Answer

The color we see is the result of the reflection of light waves from the object. In the case of a purple hat, purple light waves are reflected and enter our eyes, creating the perception of the color purple.

Question 20

Certain animals may be able to see you in the dark better than you can see them because ____.

Accepted Answer

Animals can see a wider range of the electromagnetic spectrum than humans, including ultraviolet and infrared light. This allows them to see in the dark better than humans.

Quiz 3: Sensation and Perception