The tapetum lucidum is like a mirror in an animal's eye. It helps them see better in the dark because it reflects light back through their eyes.
When light enters an animal's eye, it is absorbed by cells called photoreceptors. These cells allow the animal to see by detecting different wavelengths of light. However, when it's dark, there's not much light to be detected.
The tapetum lucidum helps by reflecting light back through the animal's eye. This amplifies the amount of light that reaches the photoreceptors, making it easier for the animal to see in low light conditions.
Some animals, like cats, have a very noticeable tapetum lucidum that can be seen as a glowing green or yellow. This is because the tapetum lucidum reflects light in these wavelengths.
Overall, the tapetum lucidum is a really helpful adaptation for animals that need to see well in the dark. It's like having a little mirror in their eye that helps them see things that they might not otherwise be able to.