The correct statement is:
Rods detect light; cones detect color; and the brain combines the three colors.
This accurately describes the function of rods and cones in the retina. Rods are sensitive to low light levels and help with vision in dim conditions, while cones are responsible for detecting color and function best in bright light conditions. The human eye has three types of cones that detect different wavelengths corresponding to red, green, and blue light, and the brain processes this information to perceive a wide range of colors.