Final answer:
The sensitive receptor cells of the retina responsible for peripheral vision are the rods. They are highly sensitive to dim light and are crucial for seeing in low-light conditions but do not provide color information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rods are the sensitive receptor cells of the retina responsible for peripheral vision. The retina contains two types of photoreceptors: rods and cones.
Rods are highly sensitive to dim light and are predominantly located in the outer edges of the retina, making them crucial for peripheral vision and for seeing in low-light conditions. They are capable of detecting motion as well.
In contrast, cones are responsible for color vision and are found mainly in the central portion of the retina.
There are approximately 120 million rods in the human eye, and these cells are unable to provide color information, which is why in very dark environments, we can only see shades of grey.