Final answer:
The cone cells are responsible for photopic (day) vision and trichromatic (color) vision, enabling us to see a wide spectrum of colors and fine detail in bright light conditions. The correct option is c.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of photoreceptor primarily responsible for photopic (day) vision and trichromatic (color) vision is the cone cell. Rod cells, on the other hand, are more sensitive and are responsible for scotopic (low-light) vision and do not perceive color. Cone cells are less sensitive to light, but they enable us to see fine detail and a wide spectrum of colors. Unlike rod cells which are distributed throughout the retina, cone cells are concentrated mainly in the fovea, the center of the retina, where the light has the most direct path and thus they are essential for high resolution and color vision during the daytime.
Humans typically have three types of cone cells, each sensitive to a different wavelength of light - short (S), medium (M), and long (L). These correspond to blue, green, and red light, respectively, and the differences in their responses are what enable us to perceive a full range of colors. The process of combining the input from these different cones is what gives us trichromatic vision. Furthermore, cone cells work best in bright light conditions, which is why we have clear, color vision during the day. At night or in low-light conditions, our vision is primarily reliant on rod cells, and as a result, we do not perceive colors well, and the visual resolution drops.