The difficulty of reading under dim light conditions can be explained by
A) the increased sensitivity of cones under low light conditions.
B) the increased acuity of cones under low light conditions.
C) the fact that rod functioning predominates during dark adaptation, therefore poor acuity.
D) the fact that cone functioning predominates during dark adaptation, therefore poor acuity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that rod functioning predominates during dark adaptation, therefore poor acuity, is the reason why reading under dim light conditions is difficult. Rods are more sensitive to low light, but they do not provide crisp and clear visual information. Therefore, in dim light conditions, the rods become more active, and the cones (which provide sharper and more detailed information) become less active, resulting in poor acuity and difficulty reading.

The Difficulty of Reading Under Dim Light Conditions Can Be