Purkinje effect
Purkinje effect
Purkinje effect (pronunciation: /pʊrˈkɪndʒiː/ pur-KIN-jee) is a phenomenon in visual perception where the peak sensitivity of the human eye shifts towards the blue end of the color spectrum in low light conditions. This effect is named after the Czech anatomist Jan Evangelista Purkyně, who first documented it in the 19th century.
Etymology
The term "Purkinje effect" is derived from the name of its discoverer, Jan Evangelista Purkyně, a prominent Czech anatomist and physiologist. Purkyně made significant contributions to the understanding of human physiology, including the discovery of this particular phenomenon related to visual perception.
Description
The Purkinje effect occurs as light levels decrease and the photoreceptor cells in the eye shift from cone-based color vision to rod-based monochromatic vision. This shift results in a greater sensitivity to short-wavelength light, causing colors at the blue end of the spectrum to appear more prominent than colors at the red end.
Related Terms
- Photoreceptor cells: The cells in the retina of the eye that respond to light.
- Visual perception: The ability to interpret the surrounding environment by processing information contained in visible light.
- Rod cells: A type of photoreceptor cell in the retina of the eye that is responsible for vision in low light conditions.
- Cone cells: A type of photoreceptor cell in the retina of the eye that is responsible for color vision and function best in relatively bright light conditions.
- Jan Evangelista Purkyně: A Czech anatomist and physiologist who made several important discoveries in the field of human physiology.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Purkinje effect
- Wikipedia's article - Purkinje effect
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