Dark Adaptation Takes Much Longer Than Light Adaptation

question 18

Multiple Choice

Dark adaptation takes much longer than light adaptation. What is one reason this is the case?

• A) Light adaptation involves the release of potassium, which is rapidly pumped through ion channels.
• B) Dark adaptation is limited by the number of rods, which is much lower than the number of cones.
• C) Light adaptation is handled by many photoreceptors while dark adaptation is handled by only a few.
• D) Dark adaptation takes longer because fewer photons of light reach the retina.
• E) Dark adaptation is limited by the recovery of pigment molecules in photoreceptors, which takes a long time.

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Mean

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Standardized Test

A test administered and scored in a consistent manner to assess the performance of individuals on a comparative basis.

Standard Deviation

A statistical measure of the dispersion or variability within a data set, indicating how much individual data points differ from the mean value of the set.