Which photoreceptors are abundant in peripheral vision?

The correct answer is rods, which are photoreceptors primarily responsible for vision in low-light conditions. They are particularly concentrated in the peripheral retina, making them essential for peripheral vision. Rods are highly sensitive to light, allowing us to detect movement and see in dim environments, but they do not provide color perception, which is a function of cones.

In contrast, cones are densely packed in the central part of the retina, specifically in the fovea, where visual acuity and color discrimination are highest. This makes them less abundant in peripheral regions, which rely on rods for vision. While ganglion cells and bipolar cells are important components of the retina that process visual information, they do not directly capture light; instead, they transmit signals from photoreceptors to the brain. Understanding the distribution and function of these different types of cells highlights why rods are predominant in peripheral vision.