Final answer:
The retina is the layer of light-sensitive nerve cells lining the back of the inside of the eye, comprising of rods and cones, and other cells facilitating visual processing. It transforms light information into electrical signals, which are transmitted to the brain by the optic nerve.
Step-by-step explanation:
The layer of light-sensitive nerve cells lining the back of the inside of the eye is known as the retina. This layer is home to photoreceptor cells such as rods and cones. Rods are sensitive to dim light, while cones detect light of different colors and are responsible for our color vision and high-resolution vision.
The retina performs a crucial role in vision by converting light information into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve. The complex structure of the retina includes multiple layers that process visual information. The fovea, a small indentation in the retina, contains a high density of cones that contribute to sharp central vision.
In addition to rods and cones, the retina also includes other cells like bipolar cells and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) which relay and process visual signals. The optic nerve then carries these signals to the brain for interpretation. As light passes through the transparent structures of the eye, such as the cornea and lens, it is focused on the retina, demonstrating the interplay between different components of the eye to facilitate vision.