The eye

• What does the retina do?

  The retina detects light through electrical impulses
• What does the sclera do?

  The sclera is the white outer layer that protects the eye as it is tough and strong
• What do the suspensory ligaments do?

  Hold the pupil and lens in place
• What does the ciliary muscle do?

  It contracts and releases to let the correct amount of light in
• What is the pupil?

  The pupil is a hole that can change size to let more or less light in
• What does the cornea do?

  The cornea is the transparent outer layer at the front of the eye that helps to focus light onto the retina
• What does the lens do?

  It focuses light rays in order to produce a clear image
• What does the iris do?

  It has radial and circular muscles that relax and contract to control the size of the pupil
• What does the optic nerve do?

  Transmits visual information from the eye to the brain with sensory neurones
• How does the eye adapt to low light?

  The circular muscles in the iris contract to make the pupil bigger which lets more light in, as the pupil gets bigger the radial muscles relax
• How does the eye adapt to light exposure?

  The circular muscles in the iris relax to make the pupil smaller to let the right amount of light in, the radial muscles contract as the pupil gets smaller
• How does the eye focus on near objects?

  The ciliary muscles contract and the suspensory ligaments loosen, the lens shape is thicker
• How does the eye focus on distant objects?

  The ciliary muscles relax and the suspensory ligaments tighten, the lens shape is thinner