Page 46 - Miracle in the Eye

MIRACLE IN THE EYE
(Figure 1.16). The cells
making up the retina, as
seen under an electron
microscope. The retina
has the complex task of
converting light energy
into electrical energy.
If there were even one
type of cell in the retina,
that would be a miracle
enough. But four differ-
ent types of retina cells,
making up eleven dif-
ferent layers, have a
processing power su-
perior to any com-
puter's, making
"miracle" an insuffi-
cient word.

Ganglion
cells Macula
Inner nuclear
layer Henle's nervous
layer
Photoreceptors

Retinal pigment
layer

A little earlier, we mentioned that the rods and cones convert light waves
into electrical energy. This conversion process is a most complicated one, but
how does it take place? How, why and by what logic does a mere cell convert
light energy to electricity? How did the cell first acquire the knowledge to com-
plete such a process? How did it acquire its unique structure to carry out this
process? Taking into account that these cells are divided into separate groups
according to their function of perceiving shape and color, how did they allocate
separate tasks to themselves in the first place?
By itself, on its own, a cone-shaped or rod-shaped cell is of no use. Were
it not for their excellently organized placement across the retina, the network

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