Evolution of the Eye 10-3

The eye has been evolving for over hundreds of millions of years. Animals needed sharp vision to be able to hunt their food efficiently. Likewise, we need our eyes to be able to see danger such as the ability to spot a snake in the grass. Thus the eye has evolved and adapted based on the environment and what’s necessary to survive in it. For instance, most birds are able to see their prey from a great distance away because that will enable them to survive.

Eyespots were the predecessors to the eye. They were able to sense light and dark as well as a general knowledge of the intensity of the light. We know that these eyespots are not sufficient by themselves because humans need to be able to perceive distance, depth, and color.

As the eye further developed, it moved away from the multicellular eyepatch. The eyepatch soon evolved into a deeper cup. The cup shape allows the eye to discern where the light is coming from, which the eyepatch could not. The pinhole camera is the part of the eye that improves our imaging by processing shapes.

Source:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/e/evolution_of_the_eye.htm

The EYE

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