What is the primary function of cone cells in the eye?

The primary function of cone cells in the eye is the identification of colors. Cone cells are photoreceptor cells located in the retina and are responsible for color vision. They are sensitive to different wavelengths of light corresponding to the primary colors—red, green, and blue. When light hits these cones, they send signals to the brain that allow us to perceive a wide range of colors based on the activation of these different types of cones.

In contrast, other types of photoreceptor cells, such as rod cells, are primarily responsible for vision in low light conditions rather than color identification. Rods are more sensitive to light but do not convey color information, which is why they are not involved in color vision. Additionally, motion detection is mainly attributed to the overall function of both rods and cones but is not the specific role of cone cells alone. Distance vision is also a function of overall eyesight rather than solely the role of cone cells. Thus, the unique capability of cone cells to differentiate colors solidifies the reasoning for why identifying colors is their primary function.