Which photoreceptor cells detect color?

Which photoreceptor cells detect color?

• A. Rods
• B. Cones
• C. Ganglion cells
• D. Bipolar cells

Answer: (B)

Color perception relies on cone photoreceptors in the retina. Cones come in several types, each sensitive to different parts of the spectrum (roughly blue, green, and red). The brain determines color by comparing the signals from these different cone types. In bright light, cones drive vision and color is vivid; in low light, rods take over but cannot convey color, so color vision diminishes. Bipolar and ganglion cells are important for relaying and processing signals, but they are not the cells that detect color themselves. Hence, color detection is the role of cone photoreceptors.

Color perception relies on cone photoreceptors in the retina. Cones come in several types, each sensitive to different parts of the spectrum (roughly blue, green, and red). The brain determines color by comparing the signals from these different cone types. In bright light, cones drive vision and color is vivid; in low light, rods take over but cannot convey color, so color vision diminishes. Bipolar and ganglion cells are important for relaying and processing signals, but they are not the cells that detect color themselves. Hence, color detection is the role of cone photoreceptors.