Final answer:
Cone cells are responsible for color vision and high visual acuity, and they are concentrated in the fovea centralis of the retina. They function in normal to bright light conditions, whereas rod cells function in low light and are responsible for night and peripheral vision without color discrimination. The shape of cone cells' outer segment is cone-like, not cylindrical.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cone cells function in color vision and visual acuity. They contain the photoreceptive molecules known as opsins, which are specialized for different wavelengths of light corresponding to different colors. Contrary to the statement that cone cells are absent at the fovea centralis, cones are actually concentrated in the fovea, which is the part of the retina where visual acuity is highest. Cone cells are not responsible for vision in low light conditions; this role is served by the rod cells, which contain the photopigment rhodopsin and are adapted to function even in dim light. Rod cells, which are more numerous and sensitive than cone cells, are responsible for peripheral and night vision but do not provide color discrimination. Lastly, the outer segment of cone cells is not cylindrical; it is cone-shaped, while the outer segment of rod cells is cylindrical.