Eyes!

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Eyes!

Octopus Eye. The octopus eye has many featuresthat are similar in structure to that of the vertebrate eye, but thesestructures evolved independently and are therefore analogous structures,not homologous structures. Any similarities are examples ofconvergent evolution. The lens, for example does all the focusing (ratherthan just adjusting the focus to near and far, which is the case in thevertebrate eye). Vertebrate and mollusk eyes focus through different mechanisms (SEE AN ANIMATION HERE). The eyes also differ in retinalstructure and in the area where visual processing is performed (HERE).The regular structure of the photoreceptors in the octopus eye has been used asa model for an artificial retina (click on the artificial retina for a largerimage).

Octopus Brain with five Colored Lobes

Vertebrate Eye Structure.
Section through a vertebrate eye. ClickHERE for the functions of selected structures.
Nerve cells below the rods and cones are responsible for partially decoding images before they are sent to the brain for final processing. An image is not sent, but rather a description of the image (a vertical line here, more or less contrast there, some movement in another portion of the visual field, etc.).

SEM of rod and cone cells. Rods are used for night vision and are sensitive onlyto one color (deep violet). Cones come in three flavors (red,green, and blue).

A third class of cells (intrinsically photosensitiveretinal ganglion cells; ipRGC) were recently discovered (Jan 2006). These cells regulate circadian rhythms.More information ishereandhere.

Rod cell structure and effect of light on rhodopsin. Rhodopsin function can beseenhere.

SEM of Fly Eye

Ommatidium Structure.Bees and flowers

Insect nervous system and eye

Insect nervous system and eye

Ommatidium Structure

Ommatidium Structure

Factors affecting visual clarity

Brain-eye organization