Yesterday, I was swamped and stumped. Couldn't settle on a topic for
HSWThursday. I think I found something to remedy this situation: tetrachromacy!
Tetrachromacy is the
ability to see colors using four types of cone cells in the eye. Most
humans are trichromats.
We learn about
three primary colors
and their amazing combination qualities when we are very young. The fourth
cone a tetrachromat human possesses is believed to lie between the red and green
cones. (from Wikipedia) "One study suggested that 2–3% of the world's women
might have the kind of fourth cone that lies between the standard red and green
cones, giving, theoretically, a significant increase in color differentiation.
Another study suggests that as many as 50% of women
and 8% of men may have four photopigments and corresponding increased chromatic
discrimination in comparison to trichromats."
(from
Wikipedia) "In June 2012, after 20 years of study of women with four cones
(non-functional tetrachromats), neuroscientist Dr. Gabriele Jordan identified a
woman (subject cDa29) who was able to detect a greater variety of colors
than trichromatic ones corresponding with a functional tetrachromats (or true
tetrachromats)."
Can you imagine how she sees the world around
her? Of course, it's normal to her. Makes one wonder if there are other
functional tetrachromats amongst us who have no idea they have such an ability!
What would we call those colors?
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