What is the pupil?

The pupil is the adjustable opening in the center of the eye that allows light to enter. It plays a crucial role in regulating the amount of light that reaches the retina, which is essential for clear vision. The pupil's size changes in response to varying light conditions; it constricts in bright light to limit the amount of light entering the eye and dilates in dim light to allow more light in. This adjustment is vital for maintaining optimal vision in different environments, allowing the eye to adapt to both brightness and darkness effectively.

While the other options mention structures related to the eye, they refer to different roles and parts. For instance, one option identifies a muscle that controls the pupil size, which refers to the iris, and another describes the lens of the eye, which focuses images on the retina, while another option denotes the iris again as the colored portion of the eye. All of these components work together for visual processing, but the specific definition of the pupil is accurately captured as the opening that changes size to regulate light entry.