Which of the following phenomena is a function of the distribution of the rods and cones in the retina?
A) The moon looks much larger near the horizon than it looks when it is higher in the sky.
B) The light from distant stars moving rapidly away from us shifts toward the red end of the spectrum.
C) Stars can be seen during the daytime but only with difficulty.
D) A dim star viewed at night may disappear when you look directly at it, but reappear when you look to one side of it.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described in option D, where a dim star disappears when viewed directly but reappears when viewed slightly to one side, is due to the distribution of rods and cones in the retina. Rods are more sensitive to low levels of light and are concentrated in the outer regions of the retina, while cones are responsible for high acuity vision and are concentrated in the central region of the retina. When viewing a dim object, it is best to look to one side of it where the concentration of rods is higher, allowing for better detection of the object.

Which of the Following Phenomena Is a Function of the Distribution