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Biology for Kids

Sight and the Eye

Sight is one of the five senses that help us to get information about what is going on in the world around us. We see through our eyes, which are organs that take in light and images and turn them into electrical impulses that our brain can understand.

How do we see?

When we see something, what we are seeing is actually reflected light. Light rays bounce off of objects and into our eyes.

Our Amazing Eyeballs

Pupil and Iris:

Eyes are amazing and complex organs. In order for us to see, light enters our eyes through the black spot in the middle which is really a hole in the eye called the pupil. The pupil can change sizes with the help of the colored part around it, a muscle called the iris. By opening and closing the pupil, the iris can control the amount of light that enters the eye. If the light is too bright, the pupil will shrink to let in less light and protect the eye. If it's dark, the iris will open the pupil up so more light can get into the eye.



Retina:

Once the light is in our eye it passes through fluids and lands on the retina at the back of the eye. The retina turns the light rays into signals that our brain can understand. The retina uses light sensitive cells called rods and cones to see. The rods are extra sensitive to light and help us to see when it's dark. The cones help us to see color. There are three types of cones each helping us to see a different color of light: red, green, and blue.

Focus:

In order for the light to be focused on the retina, our eyes have a lens. The brain sends feedback signals to the muscles around the lens to tell it how to focus the light. Just like the way a camera or microscope works, when we adjust the lens we can bring the image into focus. When the lens and muscles can't quite focus the light just right, we end up needing glasses or contacts to help our eyes out.

Off to the Brain:

The rods and cones of the retina change light into electrical signals for our brain. The optic nerve takes these signals to the brain. The brain also helps to control the eye to help it focus and to control where you are looking. Both eyes move together with speed and precision to allow us to see with the help of the brain.

Why two eyeballs?

With two eyeballs our brain gets two slightly different pictures from different angles. Although we only "see" one image, the brain uses these two images to give us information on how far away something is. This is called depth perception.

Fun facts about the eye Activities

More Biology Subjects

Cell
The Cell
Cell Cycle and Division
Nucleus
Ribosomes
Mitochondria
Chloroplasts
Proteins
Enzymes

The Human Body
Human Body
Brain
Nervous System
Digestive System
Sight and the Eye
Hearing and the Ear
Smelling and Tasting
Skin
Muscles
Breathing
Blood and Heart
Bones
List of Human Bones
Immune System
Organs

 Nutrition
Nutrition
Vitamins and Minerals
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Enzymes

Genetics
Genetics
Chromosomes
DNA
Mendel and Heredity
Hereditary Patterns
Proteins and Amino Acids

Plants
Photosynthesis
Plant Structure
Plant Defenses
Flowering Plants
Non-Flowering Plants
Trees
 Living Organisms
Scientific Classification
Animals
Bacteria
Protists
Fungi
Viruses

Disease
Infectious Disease
Medicine and Pharmaceutical Drugs
Epidemics and Pandemics
Historical Epidemics and Pandemics
Immune System
Cancer
Concussions
Diabetes
Influenza


Science >> Biology for Kids


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