dark adaptation

the ability of the eye to adjust to conditions of low illumination by means of an increased sensitivity to light. The bulk of the process takes 30 minutes and involves expansion of the pupils and retinal alterations, specifically the regeneration of rhodopsin and iodopsin. See also rod–cone break. Compare light adaptation.

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Psychology term of the day

November 18th 2024

health activities questionnaire

any questionnaire designed to measure an individual’s current repertoire of health-related behaviors. In health care there is an increased emphasis on prevention, and many inventories exist to measure an individual’s compliance with physical activity, dietary control, preventive inoculations, and screening for potential health problems, such as mammography and prostate or colon cancer testing.