What process increases lens volume over time?

What process increases lens volume over time?

• A. Destruction of central fibers
• B. Continuous addition of lens fibers
• C. Rotation of lens fibers
• D. Elastic thinning

Answer: (B)

The lens increases its volume over time because new lens fibers are continually added at the periphery. In the adult, epithelial cells at the germinative zone around the equator divide and differentiate into elongated lens fibers, which are added to the outside and push older fibers inward. This ongoing addition of fibers gradually enlarges both the diameter and overall volume of the lens as time passes. Destruction of central fibers, rotation of fibers, or elastic thinning do not produce a net increase in lens volume; they either remove material, rearrange structure, or reduce thickness rather than add new tissue.

The lens increases its volume over time because new lens fibers are continually added at the periphery. In the adult, epithelial cells at the germinative zone around the equator divide and differentiate into elongated lens fibers, which are added to the outside and push older fibers inward. This ongoing addition of fibers gradually enlarges both the diameter and overall volume of the lens as time passes. Destruction of central fibers, rotation of fibers, or elastic thinning do not produce a net increase in lens volume; they either remove material, rearrange structure, or reduce thickness rather than add new tissue.