L-cones (long-wave)

Category

Vision

Function

Daylight / red–yellow color channel

Quantity

Majority of ~12 million cones total

Density

Combined cones peak 150–200 k / mm² in the fovea

Distribution

Fovea and parafovea; L:M ratio often ~2:1 but highly individual

Relative Deployment

Notes

Opsin peak ~560 nm. Individual L:M ratios vary widely and are a major source of differences in color appearance.

Interacting Systems & Components

• Photoreceptor (broader category)
• OPN1LW (photopigment gene)
• Nervous System (sensory signaling)