Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: 576 MP
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Modern digital cameras are frequently compared with the human eye by using the common unit of resolution called megapixels. Although the comparison is not exact scientifically, many popular science sources quote an approximate megapixel value to represent how much detail the human eye can perceive. This question asks about that widely cited approximate value, which is tested in general awareness and science related quizzes to connect basic biology with everyday technology like cameras and smartphones.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The resolving power of the human eye relates to how many separate details or points the eye can distinguish within a visual field. Some rough estimates have attempted to convert this ability into a camera like megapixel number. When doing so, writers often consider both the density of light sensitive cells in the retina and the field of view. While exact values vary depending on method and assumptions, a commonly quoted approximate figure in popular articles is around 576 megapixels. The exam style question expects you to recall this widely circulated approximate value rather than derive it from first principles.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recognize that the question is a general science awareness question, not a detailed calculation problem.2. Recall that many popular comparisons say that if the human eye were a digital camera, it would have a resolution on the order of several hundred megapixels.3. Among the given options, 576 MP is the value that matches this commonly cited figure.4. The other values, such as 488 MP, 360 MP, or 285 MP, are not widely used in public explanations of eye resolution.5. Therefore, the best answer consistent with popular approximate comparisons is 576 MP.
Verification / Alternative check:
As a rough check, we can think qualitatively about why the number is so large. The retina contains about 120 million rod cells and about 6 to 7 million cone cells. However, not all of these contribute equally to fine detail perception because only the central fovea is specialized for high acuity vision. If we only estimate the effective high acuity area plus the rest of the visual field, we still arrive at a total equivalent far above common camera resolutions like 12 MP or 48 MP. That supports the idea that the human eye has far more resolving power than typical consumer cameras, and values in the several hundred megapixel range are plausible as broad approximations.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, 488 MP, is not a commonly cited value in general science explanations and does not stand out in standard references. Option C, 360 MP, is significantly lower than the popular 576 MP figure and is therefore less likely to be the expected exam answer. Option D, 285 MP, is even lower and does not match the widely circulated comparison. All three alternatives could be mathematical estimates from different assumptions, but standard quiz books and articles generally quote approximately 576 MP, making that the most exam relevant answer.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to treat the megapixel comparison as an exact scientific measurement rather than a rough analogy. Students may overthink and look for a middle value, thinking it appears more reasonable, instead of recalling the approximate figure used in general awareness materials. Another pitfall is to assume that the human eye must be similar to a modern camera resolution like 48 MP or 108 MP, when in fact the eye brain system processes far more information in total. Always remember that such numbers are approximations designed to give an intuitive comparison, not a precise standard. For exam purposes, focus on the approximate figure most often mentioned in general science sources.
Final Answer:
In popular approximate comparisons, the resolving power of the human eye is often likened to about 576 MP (megapixels).
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