THE EYE 15 MAY 2013

Lesson Description
In this lesson we:

Discuss what receptors are and what they do.

Look at the structure and functions of the different parts of the human eye.
Describe the functioning of the human eye in terms of:
- Formation of an image (including role of rods and cones)
- Binocular vision
- Accommodation
- Pupil reflex/pupillary mechanism
Explain the adaptations of the various parts of the eye for their functions.
Explore the nature and treatment (glasses and surgery) of the following visual defects:
- Short-sightedness
- Long-sightedness
- Astigmatism
- Cataracts

Key Concepts
Receptors
A cell, structure or organ that receives a stimulus and turns it into a nerve impulse

Various stimuli are detected by various receptors in the body, e.g. the skin has heat, cold, pain,
pressure and touch receptors, the nose has smell receptors and the tongue has taste receptors.

Structure of the Human Eye

(Adapted from Life Sciences for All, Macmillan, Fig 2.16, Page 67)
Where are the eyes situated?
In the front of the head in the eye sockets.

What keeps them in position?

The various muscles and fat tissue

Function of the Different Parts of the Human Eye

Sclera Tough, white, protective outer structure. It provides attachment surfaces for
eye muscles and protection

Cornea Is the transparent, curved front of the eye which helps to converge/refract
the light rays which enter the eye

Choroid Has a network of blood vessels to supply nutrients to the cells and remove
waste products. It is pigmented that makes the retina appear black, thus
preventing reflection of light within the eyeball.

Retina Is a layer of sensory neurons, photoreceptors (rod and cone cells) which
respond to light.

Aqueous Humour Helps to maintain the shape of the anterior chamber of the eyeball and
helps to distribute nutrients

Iris Pigmented muscular structure consisting of an inner ring of circular muscle

and an outer layer of radial muscle. Its function is to help control the
amount of light entering the eye

Iris A hole/space in the middle of the iris where light is allowed to pass.

Ciliary Body and Enable the lens to change shape, during accommodation (focusing on near
Muscles and distant objects)

Suspensory Hold lens in position, accommodation

Ligaments
Lens The soft biconvex transparent body that lies behind the pupil and which
can change shape to focus light rays onto the retina

Vitreous Humour Transparent, jelly-like mass located behind the lens. Maintains the shape
of the posterior chamber of the eyeball

Blind Spot Where the bundle of sensory fibres form the optic nerve; it contains no
light-sensitive receptors

Fovea/Yellow Spot A part of the retina that is directly opposite the pupil and contains only cone
cells. It is responsible for good visual acuity (good resolution)

Optic Nerve Transmit impulses from the eye to the cerebral cortex

So how do we see?

(Adapted from Life Sciences for All, Macmillan, Fig 2.23, Page 70)

Light reflects on object ------- conjunctiva ----- cornea ---- aqueous humour ----- pupil ---- lens ---
vitreous humour ----- retina ------ optic nerve ----- cerebral cortex
Visual Disorders
Short-sightedness or Myopia Long-sightedness or Hyperopia

(Figure 2.25: Correcting short-sightedness and long-sightedness, Macmillan, Page 72)

 Lens becomes cloudy and vision impaired.
Questions
Question 1
a.) Distinguish between the terms binocular vision and stereoscopic vision.
b.) Study the following diagram and answer the questions that follow:

i.) Explain how the eye is protected.

ii.) Provide labels for parts numbered 1, 3, 5 and 8.
iii.) Name the process responsible for focussing on near objects so we can see them clearer.
iv.) Explain the processes taking place in the eye to bring make the above process possible.
v.) Now explain what would happen to enable us to see things that are 6m away from us.

Question 2
(Adapted from 2005 HG, NSC, Paper 2)

Study Diagrams I and II that illustrate parts of the human eye and answer the questions that follow.

a.) Name the mechanism responsible for the change in the size of the pupil from I to II.
b.) Explain why and how the change in size of the pupil is brought about from I to II.
c.) Now explain what happens when the person, mentioned above, goes into a dark room.
Question 3
In an investigation a learner was asked to put a cotton thread through the eye of a needle 10 times
with both eyes open and then with only the right eye open. This was done under the same light
intensity and at a distance of 50 cm from the eyes.

The results are recorded in the table below.

TIME TAKEN TO THREAD THE NEEDLE in

seconds (s)

Attempts Two eyes open Only right eye open

1 12 38

2 12 35

3 10 37

4 11 36

5 9 34

6 9 33

7 10 30

8 8 31

9 7 29

10 7 28

a.) Apart from the factors mentioned, state TWO other factors that had to be kept
constant during the investigation. (2)
b.) State a general conclusion that can be drawn for the results above. (2)
c.) Give a reason why more than one attempt was made in this investigation. (1)
d.) Describe the changes that would take place in the eye if the distance between
the needle and the eye were reduced from 50 cm to 20 cm. (4)
Question 4
(Adapted from Learner Resource, Western Cape)

Study the following diagram and answer the questions that follow.

A H

B
I
C J
D K
E
L

Section through the human eye

a.) Write the letters of the parts which are responsible for the following:
i.) Protection of the eye from physical damage (2)
ii.) Accommodation (3)
iii.) Refraction of light rays (3)

b.) Write the name of the labelled part which is responsible for the following:
i.) Movement of the eye ball (1)
ii.) Conversion of light stimuli into impulses (1)

c.) Explain the role of part E in bright light conditions. (4)