Final answer:
The retina contains photoreceptors that are critical for vision. Cones, located predominantly in the fovea, provide sharp central vision and color detection. Rods, which are more numerous towards the retina's periphery, are essential for low-light and peripheral vision.
Step-by-step explanation:
The retina of the eye contains photoreceptors oriented towards the back of the eye. These photoreceptors consist of rods and cones, with rods being particularly sensitive to dim light and cones being sensitive to light of different colors. The densest concentration of cones can be found in a small area called the fovea, which is part of the retina and responsible for sharp central vision. In contrast, rods are located more towards the edges of the retina and are used for peripheral and night vision.
After light enters the eye, it passes through the cornea and lens, which focus the image onto the retina. The retina is composed of several layers and contains specialized cells, the photoreceptors, which convert light into electrical signals that can be processed by the brain. The optic nerve then carries these signals from the retina to the brain for visual interpretation. However, where the optic nerve exits the eye, there are no photoreceptors, creating a "blind spot" in our field of vision.