My Goal With This Blog:

My Goal: Sometimes to shock, sometimes just to enlighten the scientifically challenged. And to entertain literature lovers.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

The Outer Eye: General Structure and Function



Outer Eye

The Pupil: The opening of the eye which allows light to pass into the eye. It appears black because the retina absorbs all color taken in through the pupil.

The Iris: Controls the size of the pupil, allowing more or less light in, depending on the situation. The color of the iris is caused my eumelanin (brown/black) and pheomelanin (red/yellow) produced my melanocytes.

The Cornea: The transparent cover of the visible eye. Not only does it protect the pupil from foreign materials, it allows for the eye to process a sharp image.

The Sclera: "The white of the eye". Part of the supporting wall of the eyeball; it is continuous with the cornea and the dura of the CNS.

Breakdown:
Melanocyte - Produces melanin which regulates skin pigmentation.
Dura: The outermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord.
CNS: Central Nervous System, collection of nerves that control the activities of the body.