Gr.
12 Life Sciences
The eye
The Eye
Cornea: Responsible for the Pupil: A circular
refraction (bending) of light opening in the iris
The Structure and function rays from the object, to which allows light into
create the the eye
image on the
Optic nerve:
retina
Carries nerve impulses
Retina: Contains from the retina to the
the light-sensitive brain
receptor cells, i.e. Iris: The coloured
the rods and cones part of the eye
Sclera: The tough Lens: Changes
white outer coat, shape for near
which protects the and distant
eye against damage (far) vision
Choroid: A dark coloured layer Vitreous humour:
which: A jelly-like
• Reduces reflection substance which
• Is rich in blood vessels which gives shape to the
supply the cells of the eye with eye
nutrients and oxygen
The Eye
Functioning of the eye
The eye performs the following functions:
• Binocular vision
• Formation of the image
• Accommodation
• Pupillary reflex
Binocular Vision
• Refers to the ability to focus on an
object with both eyes, creating a single
image
• During binocular vision the three pairs
of muscles on the outside of each eye
enable the eyeCarrying
to see three
capacity can change annually and
dimensionally. seasonally.
• The ability to perceive depth is known
as stereoscopy or stereoscopic vision
• Depth of perception enables us to walk
down/up stairs.
Accommodation
• Refers to the ability of the eye to
change the shape (convexity) of the
lens to ensure a clear image is formed
on the retina whether the image is near
or distant to bend the light more to
focus it
• Fat lens needed
Pupillary Mechanism
Controlling light levels
• Your eye are very sensitive and can be
damaged by harsh light.
• Your iris controls light allowed into the eye
by changing the size of the pupil
In bright light Sclera
• The circular muscles of the iris contract
• The radial muscles relax Pupil Radial
Constricts muscles
(becomes
• The pupil constricts Smaller)
Iris relax
• The amount of light entering the eye is
Circular
reduced muscles of
iris contract
Pupillary Mechanism
In dim light Sclera
• The radial muscles of the iris contracts
• The circular muscles relax Circular
muscles
Pupil of iris relax
• The pupil dilates widens Radial
muscles of
of iris
• The amount of light entering the eye is contract
increased.
Nature and treatment of visual defects
Hypermetropia (long sightedness)
Causes :
• Eyeball being too rounded
• Inability of the lens to become more convex
common in the elderly
Treatment
• Wear classes with convex lens
Nature and treatment of visual defects
Myopia (short sightedness)
Causes :
• Eyeball being too long
• Inability of the lens of the eye to
become less convex.
Treatment
Wear glasses with a concave lens.
Nature and treatment of visual defects
Astigmatism
The front surface of the cornea is curved
more in one direction than in the other.
Symptoms:
• Distortion or blurring of images at all
distances
• Headache and fatigue squinting and
eye discomfort and irritation
Treatment
• Prescription glasses are required if
the degree of astigmatism is great
enough to cause eye strain and head
ache, or distortion of vision.
Nature and treatment of visual defects
Cataracts
Refers to:
• The cloudy, opaque part of the lens not
clear understanding of its causes.
Treatment:
• Surgical removal of the lens
replacing the lens with a synthetic
lens.
Questions
1. Various possible options are provided as answers to the following questions. Choose
the correct answer and write only the letter (A – D) next to the question number.
Refer for to the diagram of the human eye below for 1.1 to 1.3 :
1.1 The parts that control the amount of light rays that enter the eye
are…..
A 1 and 2
B 1 and 3
C 2 and 3
D 3 and 4
Questions
1.2 The greatest convergence takes place when light rays pass through the part
numbered…..
A4
B5
C6
D 11
13 The function of part numbered 9 is to:
1. reflect light
2. change the shape of the eyeball
3. refract light rays
4. prevent reflection
5. supply the retina with nutrients and oxygen
6. absorb excess light
Choose the correct options for the function of part no.9
A 1, 2, 3
B 4, 5, 6
C 2, 4, 6
D 1, 3, 5
Questions
1.4 The following are part of the human eye:
1 cornea 2 lens 3 retina 4 iris 5 choroid
Which parts are respectively concerned with/in:
• Adjusting the focus?
• Preventing internal reflection?
• Recording changes in light intensity?
A 2, 4 and 3
B 3, 4 and 1
C 2, 5 and 4
D 4, 1 and 5
Answers
1.1. C √ √
1.2. C √ √
1.3. B √ √
1.4. C √ √
Questions
1.5 The diagram alongside that represents a section through part of the
human eye.
1.5.1. Supply labels for the parts numbered 1, 3
and 5. (3)
1.5.2. Supply the number and name the part that
controls the amount of light that
enters the eye. (2)
1.5.3 Mention the changes that the part names in
Question 3.5.2 will undergo when
exposed to bright light. (4)
1.5.4. List one function for each of parts 4 and 7.
(2)
1.5.5 Supply the number and the name of the part that is responsible
for the accommodation of the eye. (2)
1.5.6. Explain the changes that will take place when the part named in
Question 3.5.5 views an object closer that 6m.
1.5.1. 1 = cornea√ 3= pupil √ 5 = suspensory ligaments √
1.5.2. Number 2 , the iris √
1.5. 3. The radial muscles of the iris relax the circular muscles contract
this will cause the pupil to constrict √ allowing less light to enter into the eye √
1.5.4. Part 4 = the lens focusses the light rays onto the retina at the back of the
eye √ .
Part 7 = the vitreous body / vitreous humour is part of the refracting medium of
the eye and helps to maintain the shape of the eyeball. √
1.5.5 Number 6 = the ciliary muscles in the ciliary body √ √
1.5.6.
• The ciliary muscles contract √
• Releasing the tension on the suspensory ligaments so they become
relaxed √
• The tension on the elastic lens becomes less √
• The lens becomes rounder/more convex √
• This increases the refraction of light through the lens so that the image
focusses on the retina √ (18)