What is the name of the visual receptors that are responsible for processing color?

The visual receptors responsible for processing color are known as cones. These specialized photoreceptor cells are primarily located in the retina and are essential for detecting different wavelengths of light, which correspond to various colors. Cones function best in bright light conditions and are crucial for our ability to see fine detail and color differentiation. There are three types of cones, each sensitive to different portions of the light spectrum—short (blue), medium (green), and long (red)—which together enable the perception of a wide range of colors through the process of color mixing.

In contrast, rods, another type of photoreceptor found in the retina, do not detect color but are highly sensitive to light, making them vital for vision in low-light conditions. Bipolar cells and ganglion cells are part of the inner layers of the retina and play important roles in transmitting visual information from the photoreceptors to the brain; however, they themselves do not directly process color. Thus, the correct identification of cones as the color-detecting receptors reinforces the understanding of how our visual system interprets color.