The Eye and the Skin

Objectives

1)relate the structure of the human eye to its functions as a sense organ

2)explain accommodation; sight defects and the corrections of each;

Long and near sightedness; the use of corrective lenses;
3) relate structure of the human skin to its function in temperature
regulation and protection
 Click icon to add picture
Parts of the eye and
function
1. Conjuctiva- thin transparent skin that protects the
cornea and other parts behind it.
2. Sclera- tough white fibrous coat that protects the
eyeball
3. Cornea- transparent front part of the sclera which
refracts (bend) light rays to focus on the retina
4. Iris- coloured disc composed of muscle which controls
the amount of light entering the eye by controlling the
size of the pupil.
5. Pupil- hole in the centre of the iris which allows light
to enter the eyeball
6. Lens- transparent, elastic, biconvex structure that
makes fine adjustments by further bending the light to
focus it on the retina
7. Suspensory ligaments- attaches the lens to the ciliary
muscles
Parts of the eye cont’d
1. Ciliary muscles- circular ring of muscle fibres
which alters the shape of the lens during
accommodation
2. Retina- contains light sensitive cells called cones
and rods
3. Choroid- contains blood vessels to supply the
retina with food and oxygen. It contains a black
pigment to prevent reflection of light inside the eye.
4. Fovea- most sensitive part of the retina. Most light
rays are focused here. It contains cones only.
5. Blind spot- point where the optic nerve leaves the
eye. It does not contain light sensitive cells.
6. Optic nerve- carries impulses from the retina to the
brain
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY1giZgddAs

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlCG2Z9bnTM
THE RETINA

 The retina is the photosensitive layer at the back of the eye. It is made up of
two types of photoreceptors called cones and rods.
 Cones- sensitive to colour and function best in bright light. The cones are
generally found at the center of the eye with the greatest concentration
found in the fovea.
 Rods- do not react to colour and function best in dim light. This is why we
only see in black and white in the dark. They are generally found at the
corners of the eye.
 Information received by the cones and rods are sent to the brain via the optic
nerve.
Accomodation

The adjustment of the lens for focusing on near and

distant objects is called accommodation. This is achieved
by changing the shape of the lens. The lens is connected
by suspensory ligaments to a ring shaped ciliary muscle.
Contraction of the ciliary muscles affects the tension of the
ligaments which changes the shape of the lens.
Focusing on distant objects
To focus on a distant object, the lens must be flattened or made less
convex. The ciliary muscles relax which pulls the suspensory ligaments
tight. This flattens the lens.
Focusing on near objects
To focus on a near object, the lens must become more rounded or
more convex. The ciliary muscles contract which causes the ligaments
to slacken. The lens is allowed to bulge making it rounder.
Sight defects
A sight defect is caused by any condition that
prevents proper focusing of light on the retina.
These may be caused by a number of factors
including the shape of the eyeball and hardening of
the lens.
Long sightedness/ Hypermetropia

This condition is corrected by wearing convex or

converging lens that bend the light rays inward before they
enter the eye.
Short sightedness/Myopia

 This is a condition which causes light from distant objects to be focused in front
of the retina. It is caused by the eyeball being too long or the lens being too
curved which causes the light rays to be bent more than necessary. This condition
is corrected by wearing concave or diverging lens which bend the light rays
outward before they enter the eye
Astigmatism
This is a condition that is caused by the surface of the lens or cornea
being irregularly curved. This causes light to be bent in more than one
plane forming a blurring image on the retina. This condition is corrected
by wearing cylindrical lenses.
Cataract

This is a condition in the lens

becomes opaque preventing light
from passing through. This can be
corrected by removing the lens
during surgery. Adjustments to
vision can be made with
appropriate spectacles or contact
lenses
Glaucoma

This is a condition in which too much fluid gathers in

front of the lens causing a buildup of pressure in the
aqueous humour. The increased pressure can damage the
optic nerve causing pain and inflammation of the eyes. A
halo is seen around the objects. Glaucoma is the leading
cause of blindness as damage to the optic nerve is
irreversible
The skin
Thermoregulation

Thermoregulation is the process by which the body

maintains an constant internal temperature. It is an example
of homeostasis.
 In humans, the body temperature is about 37°C which is
ideal for the chemical reactions that take place. For many
enzymatic reactions, this is the optimum temperature.
Heat is generated mainly in the liver and distributed by
the blood throughout to body to keep it warm
The skin and thermoregulation
Mechanisms to encourage heat loss (body
temperature too high)
1. Increased blood flow through the
capillaries close to the skin. Blood vessels
dilate (vasodilation) to allow increase
blood flow which increases heat loss from
the surface of the skin.
1. Sweat glands produce more sweat. The
sweat on the surface of the skin draws out
heat from the skin to evapourate. As
sweat evapourates it takes heat from the
skin with it, thus cooling the body
1. The erector muscle in the skin relax
causing hair to lie flat against the body to
reduce the insulating layer that the hair
provides
Mechanisms to conserve heat (body
temperature too low)
Decreased blood flow through the capillaries
close to the skin. Blood vessels constrict
(vasoconstriction) decreasing the blood flow
which decreases the heat loss from the surface
of the skin.
Less sweat is produced so heat loss as a result of
evapouration is reduced
The erector muscle in the skin contracts causing
the hairs to stand upright. This is what causes
“goose bumps”. The upright hair traps a layer of
warm air close to the skin providing an
insulating layer
Other temperature control

1. When the body temperature drops, the muscles contract and

relax very quickly. This is called shivering. This produces
heat which warms the blood flowing through the muscles. The
blood can then distribute the heat over the body.

2. When the body temperature drops, the metabolic activities of

the cells, especially those of the liver, also increase. These
activities generate heat which warms the body.