Pseudopupil
Pseudopupil refers to the optical phenomenon observed in the compound eyes of certain arthropods, such as insects and crustaceans, which gives the appearance of a dark spot that moves across the eye as the observer's perspective changes. Unlike the pupil of vertebrate eyes, which is an actual opening through which light enters the eye, the pseudopupil is an optical illusion created by the absorption of light by the ommatidia (individual light-detecting units) that are oriented directly towards the observer.
Structure and Function[edit | edit source]
The compound eyes of arthropods are made up of numerous small, repeating units called ommatidia. Each ommatidium consists of a lens and a series of light-sensitive cells that are capable of detecting light and shadow but not forming a detailed image by themselves. The collective input from these ommatidia allows the arthropod to detect movement, measure light intensity, and perceive basic shapes.
The pseudopupil appears as a dark spot within the compound eye because the ommatidia that are aligned with the observer's line of sight absorb the incident light, rather than reflecting it. This absorption makes them appear darker than the surrounding ommatidia, which reflect light. The position of the pseudopupil changes as the angle between the observer and the eye changes, giving the illusion that it is "moving" across the eye.
Significance[edit | edit source]
The study of the pseudopupil provides valuable insights into the functioning of compound eyes. By observing the pseudopupil, researchers can determine the orientation of the ommatidia and understand how arthropods perceive their environment. This has implications for the fields of neurobiology, vision science, and the development of optical devices inspired by biological systems.
Research and Applications[edit | edit source]
Research into the pseudopupil and compound eyes has inspired the development of artificial compound eyes for use in cameras and other optical devices. These bio-inspired designs aim to replicate the wide field of view and sensitivity to motion that compound eyes offer, with potential applications in surveillance, robotics, and medical imaging.
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This zoology–related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
