Home
Main topics
Study help discussion
All study help
GCSEs
A-level
University discussion
Uni applications
University and HE colleges
University help and courses
University student life
Postgraduate
Medicine
Careers discussion
Careers and jobs
Teacher training
Finance and accountancy
Lifestyle discussion
Chat
Relationships
Fashion
Fitness
Sexual health
GCSE and A-level
Study level discussion
GCSE
A-level
Btec
T-level
Scottish qualifications
IB
EPQ
Study help discussion (by subject)
Maths
English
Geography
History
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Foreign languages
All study help
GCSE and A-level articles
GCSE articles
A-level articles
Exam and revision articles
What to do after GCSEs
What to do after A-levels
When is A-level results day 2024?
When is GCSE results day 2024?
More study help
Studying, revision and exam support
Grow your Grades
Revision and exams
Revision and exam discussion
A-levels
GCSEs
Btecs
All A-level exams
All GCSE exams
Revision tips
Top vloggers for revision help
Best video resources for revising GCSE or A-level English
Best places online for maths revision
How to use past exam papers for revision
Preparing for an exam
How to study effectively for your exams
Handling revision and exam stress
What to expect from an exam
Seven things to do in the last week before an exam
How to handle exam nightmares
Finding motivation
Getting past procrastination
It's not too late: 10 ways to kick-start your revision
How to revise when you're feeling lazy
University
University discussion
All universities
Applying through Ucas
Student finance
Personal statement
Postgraduate study
Uni accommodation
University life
University course discussion
All uni courses
Apprenticeships
Medicine
Arts and humanities courses
Stem courses
Social science courses
Universities by region
North of England
Midlands
South of England
Greater London
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Distance learning
International study
University guides and articles
All university articles
Applying to uni articles
Personal statements
Personal statement examples
Freshers
University open days
Studying law at university
Student life at university
Careers and jobs
Careers discussion
Careers and jobs discussion
Apprenticeships discussion
Part-time and temp jobs
Industry forums
Career forums by sector
Armed forces careers
Consultancy careers
Finance careers
Legal careers
More industry forums
Marketing careers
Medicine and healthcare careers
Public sector careers
Stem careers
Teaching careers
Life and relationships
Life chat
General chat
Relationships
Friends, family and colleagues
Advice on everyday issues
Fashion
Health chat
Life and style
General health
Sexual health
Mental health
Fitness
News and entertainment chat
Debate and current affairs
Entertainment
UK politics
News
Educational debate
Football
Sport
Student finance
Undergraduate
Full time
Part time
Postgraduate
Postgraduate Master's Loan
Postgraduate Doctoral Loan
Disabled Students' Allowances
Taking a break or withdrawing from your course
Further information
Parents and partners
Repayment
Advanced Learner Loan

What would you like to say?

Your discussion will live here...

(Start typing, we will pick a forum for you)

Forums
Rods

Rods

Bit of a weird and irrelevant question but is there any reason rods couldn't simply be larger/have more volatile pigments so that they'd be activated in low light whilst still maintaining visual acuity?

There are two arguments I can see against this solution. 1 there is only so much space in the retina/cells can only be so big so you'd lose visual acuity all the same as you'd have less rods. 2 pigments that are more volatile may mess up normal vision or not exist/be practical.

Of course it's realistically just an evolution thing and I assume animals with night vision have such adaptations or adaptations to a similar effect. There's also the fact that humans tended to sleep when it was dark so vision at night may have provided a negligible survival advantage.

Anyway just my hyperactive mind waffling.

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Help with A level maths questions
Maths Question Help Urgent!
Help mathsss
silver nitrate and electrolysis
How would the mass at B work in this moments question?
FM mechanics CoM Q
Further Maths Mechanics Forces Question HELP
The cavendish experiment Isaac physics
Ial m1 oct 22 q
vertical circular motion
Mechanics- Connected Particles
Math moments
Moments
Why is tension not equal to weight in moments questions?
A Level Maths Moments question
Tension question
Optometry-The dark adaptation curve
Maths A Level Friction Question
a level maths help
Can someone help me understand these definitions in mechanics?

Latest

Articles for you

What is an LLM and how could it benefit your career?

Powerful questions business students forget to ask their career advisers

Why I chose a law degree and what studying law was like

What can you do with an arts degree?

The Student Room and The Uni Guide are both part of The Student Room Group.

Get Started

Today's posts
Unanswered posts
Community guidelines

Using TSR

TSR help centre
Cookies & online safety
Terms & conditions
Privacy policy
Ad Privacy Settings

Info

About TSR
Advertise
Contact us

Connect with TSR

Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok

The Student Room and The Uni Guide are trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd.

Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. 806 8067 22 Registered Office: Imperial House, 2nd Floor, 40-42 Queens Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3XB