EYE: WHAT IS THIS SPECTACULAR ORGAN MADE OF?

Scientists have long known that the eyes of mammals contain neurons that respond to
light and set the body's internal, or circadian, clock. It was long assumed that this light-sensing function was performed by known visual cells called rods and cones. But in 1999, reports the journal science, researchers found that "mutant mice lacking all rods and cones (who are thus functionally blind) still have light-responsive clocks."
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 This lead researchers to the conclusion that "some other cells in the eye had to be sensing light."


Now these elusive light sensors have been found. Although intermingled with the image forming rods and cones, the sensors form "a separate visual circuit, running in parallel with this image-forming visual system," explains science.
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The newly discovered circuits functions include governing pupil size and melatonin release, synchronising the body's internal clock with the cycle of light and dark, and other tasks. It may even play a role in the modulation of mood.

Significantly, the light sensors do not respond to brief flashes of light, less they confuse the body clock, but only to longer changes in luminance levels. One scientist described the discovery as "spectacular" adding that "it is the biggest break yet in the question of what is the photoreceptor in mammals."

Clearly, the more we learn about life, the more we see evidence of often subtle, yet truly profound, design.

That's for reading and always visit WWW.teensaflame.blogspot.com for more discoveries.