Interactive 3D Eye Explorer

Turn the eye around and tap any structure to learn what it does. Covers exactly what Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) asks for — and deliberately leaves out the parts it doesn’t. No account, no download.

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What you have to be able to explain

The pupil reflex Core (14.2.4)

In bright light the pupil gets smaller, so less light enters the eye and the retina is protected. In dim light the pupil gets wider, so more light enters and you can see.

The pupil reflex — how Extended (14.2.5)

Bright light: the circular muscles of the iris contract and the radial muscles relax, making the pupil smaller. Dim light: the radial muscles contract and the circular muscles relax, making the pupil wider.

Accommodation — near object Extended (14.2.6)

The ciliary muscles contract, the suspensory ligaments slacken, the lens becomes fatter (more curved) and refracts light more strongly.

Accommodation — distant object Extended (14.2.6)

The ciliary muscles relax, the suspensory ligaments tighten, the lens is pulled thinner (less curved) and refracts light less strongly.

What you need to know

The syllabus asks you to identify seven structures — cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, optic nerve and blind spot — but to state the function of only five: the cornea, iris, lens, retina and optic nerve. Those five functions are printed in the syllabus itself, so learn them word for word. Extended students also need the ciliary muscles, suspensory ligaments and fovea for accommodation.

Common questions

Which parts of the eye do I need to know for IGCSE Biology 0610?

You must be able to identify seven structures: the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, optic nerve and blind spot. You only have to state the function of five of them — the cornea, iris, lens, retina and optic nerve. The pupil and the blind spot are label-only.

What is the function of the cornea and the lens?

The syllabus wording is short and worth learning exactly: the cornea refracts light, and the lens focuses light onto the retina. The cornea actually does about two-thirds of the refracting; the lens fine-tunes the focus.

What happens to the pupil in bright light?

The pupil gets smaller, so less light enters the eye and the retina is protected. In dim light it gets wider so more light enters. Extended students also need the muscles: in bright light the circular muscles of the iris contract and the radial muscles relax.

What is accommodation?

It is how the eye changes focus, and it is Extended-only. For a near object the ciliary muscles contract, the suspensory ligaments slacken and the lens becomes fatter, refracting light more strongly. For a distant object the ciliary muscles relax, the ligaments tighten and the lens is pulled thinner.

Is the sclera part of the syllabus?

No. The sclera, choroid, conjunctiva and the humours are not in IGCSE Biology 0610, so this explorer deliberately leaves them off — learning them earns no marks.

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