Question

describe how this eye in chameleons is used to collect sensory information, describe how this organ is used to collect sensory information, How sensory information is delivered to the central nervous system.

Answer 1

Chameleon is the highly visually –oriented of all the lizards in capturing the prey with their senses. Its eyes are distinctive that enables them to see 360 degrees. This is been done by two ways, they can rotate 360 degree with freedom and second one is transition between the two eyes. Transition means chameleon can see objects with both the eyes independently and also both eyes together that is monocular vision and binocular vision.

Chameleon eyes are positioned on the opposite sides, this helps them to see on the sides, behind and also front. Their eye balls are placed on a twin conical turret, a deep socket that holds the eyes from falling and the lids are thick and muscular around the turret. When searching prey they use monocular vision where each eye work independently, this is known as uncoupled function. Two images are sent separately to the brain via two bundles of nerves that control the musculature of the eyes. The eye that has spotted the prey will send electrical impulses stronger than the other eye to the brain. The neuron of the second eye syncs with the eye that has spotted the pray and a large neural bundle is formed. This fixes the eyes and then the head will rotate towards the prey. This helps Chameleon not only to catch the prey but also to protect itself.

The effective response is due to the correlation between the nuclear of the midbrain and the optic tectum. The eye movements are correlated with the basal optic ganglion and geniculate complex.