Eye
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
Contents |
Human
- Main Article: Human eye
Compound
The compound eye is one of the most complex and diverse organs. Crustaceans can be found with nine of the ten types of compound eyes, and four distinct types are present in the decapod subgroup. Apposition eyes are more common in crustaceans with the reflecting superposition type discussed here typical in the decapods.[1]
Reflective superposition
The unique design of the lobster eye has been intensely studied to help understand how it allows some organisms to see in low light and murky waters. Rather than bending (refracting) the light to focus the image on the retina, several of the long-bodied decapod crustaceans (shrimps, prawns, crayfish and lobsters) possess “reflecting” compound eyes. Unlike the more common compound eyes of insects, which have hexagonal facets, this unique eye design incorporates square facets that are arranged radially forming an optic array with a 180° field of view.[3] The geometric assemblage of facets has all of the hallmarks of intelligent design and defies attempts to explain it through natural mechanisms.[4]
Simply put, these facets are tiny square-shaped tubes with walls that act as mirrors to reflect the incoming light. The walls of each facet are perfectly aligned so that the reflected light is focused toward the receptor layer flawlessly so that they all merge at the same point. The design creates an intensified, superpositioned image because the light from many facets combines to form a single image.[5] As many as 3000 reflective facets are found in some species such as the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), and increases in sensitivity up to 1000 above the more common apposition type eye (where light remains within a single facet/ommatidium).[6]
The ability of the decapod’s eye to intensify an image that is captured from a broad field of view has intrigued engineers since the mechanism was first made known. Investigating biological systems or processes for potential use in technology is rapidly expanding field known as biomimicry. Several technological developments are now based on the unique geometric design of the lobster eye.(see Lobster eye biomimicry) Researchers have developed a cosmic imaging device for use on space satellites,[7] and a handheld imaging system was built that can view through walls of various thicknesses and materials, and identify contents.[8]
Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both. Proverbs 20:12
Evolution
Evolutionists have attempted to construct phylogenies (evolutionary relationships) by comparing the types of compound eyes present in existing groups. It is generally assumed that the apposition eyes evolved first since they are the most common type of compound eye, they are also present in larval stages of all decapods, and possessed by all “lower crustaceans”, such as the trilobite. The advanced reflecting superposition optics that inspired biomimicry applications is assumed to have developed by undirected Darwinian processes in an ancient common ancestor of the decapods. However, no specific mechanisms for its development have yet been put forth and experts admit that the overall structure of the eye would have to be radically transformed or non-functioning intermediates would result.[1]
According to Edward Gaten, University of Leicester:
| “ | The evolution of superposition eyes from the apposition eyes found in primitive crustaceans poses a particular problem. The apposition eye produces multiple inverted images whereas in the superposition eye a single erect image is present. To make this transition without going via non-functioning intermediates requires a continuing correction of the focusing properties of the dioptric apparatus so that light leaving the crystalline cone is either afocal or is focused onto the rhabdom layer.[1] | ” |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Gaten, Edward.Eye structure and phylogeny: is there an insight? The evolution of superposition eyes in the Decapoda (Crustacea).Contributions to Zoology, 67: 223-235. 1998
- ↑ The Design in Nature by by Harun Yahya.
- ↑ Land, Michael F., Eyes with mirror optics, Journal of Optics A: Pure and Applied Optics. 2 R44-R50, 2000. doi: 10.1088/1464-4258/2/6/204
- ↑ Sarfati, Jonathan. Lobster eyes—brilliant geometric design. Creation 23(3):12–13, June 2001.
- ↑ Land, Michael F., Superposition Images Are Formed by Reflection in the Eyes of Some Oceanic Decapod Crustacea, Nature, October, 28 1976, Volume 263, pp. 764-765. doi:10.1038/263764a0
- ↑ Gaten, Edward. Eye structure and phylogeny: is there an insight? The evolution of superposition eyes in the Decapoda (Crustacea).Contributions to Zoology, 67: 223-235. 1998
- ↑ Lobster Telescope Has An Eye For X-Rays ScienceDaily April 5, 2006.
- ↑ U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Eye of the Lobster. S&T Spotlight, Volume 1, Issue 7. November 2007.
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