3/2/16

The Eye
LO Describe the structure and function of
the eye

Key Words
Sense organ, reflex,
dilation, contraction

Starter: Complete the cryptic quiz to find

out how the parts of the eye relate to its
function

Structure of the
eye
Suspensory Ligament

Sclera

Retina
Ciliary Muscle

Vitreous Humour

Pupil

Fovea

Cornea

Optic Nerve

Aqueous Humour
Iris
Choroid

Blind Spot

Structure

Function

Cornea

It refracts the light and protects the eye.

Iris

Controls how much light enters the pupil.

Lens

Focuses light onto the retina.

Optic Nerve

The bundle of sensory neurones that carry the impulses

to the brain.

Retina

contains light receptors (rods and cones), some sensitive to

light of different colours

Fovea

Area of the retina with highest concentration of cone

cells that provides sharp vision.

Aqueous Humour

Maintains the pressure in the eye and nourishes the

cornea.

Vitreous Humour

Maintains the shape of the eye and attaches to the

retina.

Ciliary muscles

Help change the shape of the lens in accommodation.

Sclera

Tough outer layer that extraocular muscles can attach

Boardworks eye

How do you see?

The image is refracted, first by the
cornea and then by the lens.

How do your eyes focus?

Humans can focus on near or distant objects, but not
both at the same time. The lens has to change shape.
This is called accommodation.
This is controlled by the ciliary muscles and the
suspensory ligaments.

Accommodation
Focusing on a distant object.
Ciliary muscles relax.
Suspensory ligaments tighten.
Lens is pulled thin.

Focusing on a close object.

Ciliary muscles contract.
Suspensory ligaments slacken.
Lens becomes fatter.

Boaradworks eye
accommodation

Accommodation
Video

Accommodation
Close objects

Distant objects

-Ciliary muscles_______

-Ciliary muscles ______

-Suspensory ligaments
______
-Lens becomes ____,

-Suspensory ligaments
_____
-Lens becomes ____and

_________and ____

_______

Contracts, Relax, slacken, tighten,

Fatter, shorter and rounder, Longer and thinner.

Accommodation
Close objects

Distant objects

-Ciliary muscles contract

-Ciliary muscles relax

-Suspensory ligaments
slacken
-Lens becomes fatter,

-Suspensory ligaments
tighten
-Lens becomes longer and

shorter and rounder

thinner

TIP
Close vision: Ciliary muscle Contract

Pupil reflex
The way the iris in our eye adjusts the size of
the pupil in response to bright or dim light is also
a reflex action.

The Iris
The iris can change the size of the pupil.
This means it controls the amount of light entering
the eye.
It does this using circular and radial muscles.

Iris

Pupil

The Iris
The iris can change the size of the pupil.
This means it controls the amount of light entering
the eye.
It does this using circular and radial muscles.

Bright Light
Circular muscles
contract.
Radial muscles relax.
Pupils constrict.

Dim Light
Circular muscles
relax.
Radial muscles
contract.
Pupils dilate.
Iris

Pupil

Pupil reflex

Reflex Video

Pupil reflex
Bright light

Dim light

Radial muscles of the iris

_______.
Circular muscles of the iris

Radial muscles of the iris

______.
Circular muscles of the iris

_______.
_____ light enters the eye
through the contracted
pupil.

______.
_____ light enters the eye
through the dilated pupil.

Contract relax more less

Pupil reflex
Bright light

Dim light

Radial muscles of the iris

relax.
Circular muscles of the iris

Radial muscles of the iris

contract.
Circular muscles of the iris

contract.
Less light enters the eye
through the contracted
pupil.

relax.
More light enters the eye
through the dilated pupil.

How do we see colour?

Rod cells work well in dim light but can only
see black and white.
The cones only work in bright light.
There are three types of cone cells, and
each responds to different wavelengths of
light- red, green and blue.
Cones are concentrated in the middle of the
retina in the fovea.
The light wavelengths are converted to
electrical impulses and travel from the optic
nerve to the brain. The brain interprets

IGCSE NERVES AND THE EYE

KAHOOT

Summary

Complete Worksheets