Final answer:
Vertical disparity aids in depth perception, utilizing the binocular disparity from our eyes' different views to perceive the world in three dimensions. Rods and cones function differently in vision, and depth perception is achieved through both monocular and binocular cues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vertical disparity is visually useful to vision because it aids in depth perception. This binocular cue arises from the slightly different views that each of our eyes receives due to their horizontal separation. The brain uses the differences in these views, known as binocular disparity, to judge the distance and depth of objects, enabling us to perceive the world in three dimensions.
Rods and cones contribute to different aspects of vision. Cones are responsible for color vision and function best in bright light, while rods are more sensitive to light and allow us to see in low-light conditions.
Depth perception is achieved through both monocular cues, which can be perceived by one eye alone, and binocular cues, which require the coordination of both eyes. Monocular cues include relative size and overlap, while binocular cues involve comparing the different images from each eye to perceive depth.