Differences between Rod cells and Cone cells

May 26, 2018

S.N		Rod cells	Cone cells
1.		They are more in number.	They are less in number.
2.		They respond to lower light intensities.	They respond to bright light intensities.
3.		Usually located around the periphery of retina.	Usually located in the centre of retina.
4.		They contain pigment rhodopsin.	They contain iodopsin.
5.		A small knob is present at the inner end.	Inner end is branched.
6.		They function in dim light and produce poor images.	They function in bright light and are responsible for colour vision.
7.		They are much more sensitive to light.	They are less sensitive to light.
8.		Night blindness occurs if rhodopsin amount decreases.	Colour blindness occurs if iodopsin amount is reduced.
9.		They donot give colour vision as all rod cells are alike.	They give colour vision as they are of blue, green and red types.
10.	Outer segment is rod-shaped or cylindrical.		Outer segment is conical.
11.	They are arranged in functional units served by one bipolar neuron, therefore, acuity low.		They are served by its own bipolar neuron, therefore, acuity high.
12.	Rapid regeneration of light sensitive pigment, therefore, can perceive flicker well.		Slower regeneration of light sensitive pigment, therefore, less response to flicker.
13.	They are not found at the yellow spot.		They are most numerous at the yellow spot.
14.	Smaller in size.		Larger in size.
15.			Image source: slideserve