How many colours can you see?

“God works in light, mortals work in pigment…”

Robert Genn

Colour is important to everyone. However, we all know people who have an eye for detecting variations in shade, tone, tint and intensity of colour. They might be tetrachromic. Human colour vision arises from cone cells in the retina of the eye. They come in red, green and blue, depending on the wavelength of light that triggers them. Tetrachromats have a fourth type of cone, sensitive to yellow wavelengths of light. The use of three sets of cones allows the distinction around a million separate colours, add a fourth cone and the number is close to 100 million. The gene for tetrachromacy is on the X chromosome, so the possession of enhanced colour perception is limited to women. Male carriers of the gene actually have a mild form of colour blindness. In the animal world, tetrachromacy or even pentachromacy, is not uncommon. #surelymywifehasthis #letsmakelemonade

2 thoughts on “How many colours can you see?

  1. Mandy's avatar

    as a watercolour (and other) artist I find this very interesting info! Do you know if you can get tested for this/ anyone is researching locally?

    Like

    1. David Walsh's avatar

      Unfortunately, testing appears to purely research

      Like

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