Question

Give scientific reasons for the following statements:

We cannot distinguish colors in the moonlight.

Answer 1

Rods and cones are photoreceptors or photosensitive cells (they respond to light).

1. Whenever light falls on these cells there are chemical changes in these cells and due to the changes, there is a perception of vision.
2. So, they must be present in the layer of the eye which is responsible for the vision.
3. The different layers of the eye from the outside to the inside are the sclera after that choroid and the innermost layer present in the eye is the retina.
4. Cones are sensitive to colors.
5. Rods are also photoreceptor cells in the retina but it is mainly functional in the scotopic region i.e., lower light or dim light.

Final answer:

1. So, cone cells are responsible for the color vision in the retina.
2. But, they are only functional in bright light.
3. Cone cells are unable to stimulate the moonlight.
4. Rod cells can work in dim light but cannot detect the color.
5. So, that’s why we cannot distinguish colors in the moonlight because the sensory cells that are active in the moonlight can’t distinguish colors.