Final Answer:
During the pupillary light reflex, the pupils constrict (get smaller) in response to light.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pupillary light reflex is a protective mechanism of the eye to regulate the amount of light entering the retina. When light is detected by the retinal cells, a signal is sent to the brain through the optic nerve. In response, the brain sends signals to the muscles around the iris, causing the pupils to constrict.
This constriction, known as miosis, reduces the amount of light entering the eye, preventing potential damage to the sensitive cells of the retina. The opposite response, dilation (widening of the pupils), occurs in low light conditions to allow more light to reach the retina for better visibility.
During the pupillary light reflex, the pupils constrict in response to light.