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The science of color: Why do some animals have better color vision than we do?
Color is not only an indispensable visual element in our daily lives, but also a complex biological perception phenomenon. For humans, we perceive color through three types of cones (cone cells), but some animals have much better color vision than we think. What's the science behind this?
The essence of color
Color is a visual perception based on the electromagnetic spectrum. Although color itself is not an inherent characteristic of matter, the object's light absorption, reflection and emission spectra are closely related to interference phenomena. Most humans utilize three types of cones for color perception, known as trichromatic vision.
"For most animals, the perception of color results from different wavelengths of light and the sensitivity of cones to different wavelengths."
And in many animals, such as bees, they are able to distinguish colors such as ultraviolet light, which makes their range of color vision completely different from humans. How did color perception develop and evolve in these animals?
Animals and Color Perception
Unlike our three-color perception, many animals have more abundant cones. For example, most birds, reptiles and amphibians are thought to have more than four types of cones, allowing them to see colors that humans cannot.
"Having more of the color spectrum means these animals can see into the blind spots of human vision."
In addition, some invertebrates, such as mantis shrimps, have as many as 12 types of visual cells, which makes their color vision extremely rich and varied. Such visual abilities are not only crucial to their survival, but also give them an advantage in a variety of environments.
Human color perception
In the human eye, cones respond differently to different wavelengths of light, and are most sensitive to blue, green, and red respectively. The structure and function of this cell allow humans to distinguish approximately 10 million colors.
“Although human visual abilities are limited, each individual’s color perception is unique, which complicates the subjective perception of color.”
Because cells in the retina have different sensitivities to wavelengths, humans can't actually stimulate the cones of one color independently, all of which goes to show how our color perception is governed by biology.
Cultural meaning of color
The perception of color is not only affected by physiological factors, but also closely related to cultural background. There may be overlaps or differences in the naming and meaning of colors in different cultures, and these factors also affect our interpretation and emotional response to colors.
"Color is both the result of science and part of cultural expression."
In the field of art, color theory is used as a tool to create harmonious and beautiful visual works. But the use and feeling of color are not just scientific definitions, but also the result of the interweaving of culture and emotion.
Extension of thought
As technology advances, our understanding of color and its perception continues to deepen. Whether it is a color vision deficiency or a unique color vision experience, these all question our standard understanding of color. Perhaps future science will reveal more mysteries of color vision in animals and humans, bringing new cognition and thinking.
Does all this thinking make you reflect on whether the beauty of color only depends on the visible spectrum, or are there other undiscovered colors?
