First, light with a plane of polarization at 45° to the horizontal shines on the insect. Which statement is true about the two types of cells?

(a) Both types detect this light.

(b) Neither type detects this light.

(c) Only type H detects the light.

(d) Only type V detects the light.

Some insect eyes have two types of cells that are sensitive to the plane of polarization of light. In a simple model, one cell type (type H) is sensitive to horizontally polarized light only, and the other cell type (type V) is sensitive to vertically polarized light only. To study the responses of these cells, researchers fix the insect in a normal, upright position so that one eye is illuminated by a light source. Then several experiments are carried out.