Which statement best describes the function of cones in the eye?

Cones are specialized photoreceptor cells located in the retina of the eye and play a crucial role in enabling color vision. They are sensitive to different wavelengths of light—primarily those corresponding to red, green, and blue. This trichromatic theory of color vision explains how the brain interprets these various wavelengths to produce the perception of a wide range of colors.

Cones function optimally in bright light conditions and are concentrated in the fovea, the central part of the retina, allowing for high-resolution vision and color discrimination. Their role in color vision is essential for tasks such as distinguishing fruits and vegetables, interpreting traffic lights, and enjoying visual art, which rely heavily on the ability to perceive colors accurately.

In contrast to cones, other types of photoreceptors, like rods, are primarily responsible for low-light (scotopic) vision and motion detection. Rods excel in dim light but do not detect color, which is why choices specific to motion detection, peripheral vision, or night vision do not accurately describe the primary function of cones.