Illinois Vision Certification Practice Test

Which type of receptors in the retina are responsible for color vision?

1. Rods

2. Cones

3. Photoreceptors

4. Neurons

The correct answer is: Cones

The type of receptors in the retina responsible for color vision is cones. Cones are photoreceptor cells that are concentrated in the macula, the central part of the retina, and they are essential for detecting color and fine detail. There are three types of cones, each sensitive to different wavelengths of light corresponding to blue, green, and red. This trichromatic system allows for the perception of a wide range of colors through the combined activation of these cones. While rods are another type of photoreceptor in the retina, they are specialized for low-light and night vision, functioning well in dim lighting but not contributing to color discrimination at all. Photoreceptors is a broader term that encompasses both rods and cones, but it does not specifically indicate which type is involved in color vision. Neurons, while crucial in transmitting and processing visual information, are not direct receptors for light and color. Therefore, cones are distinctly identified as the receptors that enable color vision.