Rob Sensation and Perception Current Article Psychology http://www.brainfacts.

org/sensing-thinking-behaving/senses-and-perception/articles/2014/colmkelleher-how-we-see-color/ March 12th, 2014, Colm Kelleher: How We See Color, Colm Kelleher

Summary: This article explained in depth on how the human eyes perceive color and transmit it through our brains. It is mentioned the color of an object is dependent on the frequency of light waves that the object projects. Physical color is in fact dependent on light itself and is not dependent on human perception. However, our eyes only pick up one three different frequencies: that of blue, green, and red. A shade such as yellow is distinguished, when the green and red frequencies travel through the retina to the brain at the same time and coagulate. This allows us to pick up on a multitude of colors. Nevertheless, in poor lighting, only one type of signal can be sent to the brain (light or no light) and is why all colors appear to be a dimmed version of blue, green, or red. Connection: This can tie in with what we are learning because in the retina, we learned about cones and rods. Cones are used for seeing in normal lighting conditions. In addition, there are three types of cones: red, blue, and green cones. This makes sense why those frequencies reach are brain to form a single color. Rods are used to see in low lighting conditions and there is only one type of rod. That is why it is harder to interpret color in the dark because there is only one type of rod to distinguish the color versus three different cones to develop color in normal lighting. It is evident these frequencies are then transmitted to the occipital lobe, which is in charge of a persons vision and interprets visual information. Furthermore, if we possessed different types of rods, we would be able to distinguish color easier in the dark. Reaction: This article made me come to an easier understanding in how our eyes interpret color. It is very interesting that human perception has little to do with an objects color, even though the surrounding light we see plays an immense factor. I am curious as to how various combinations of red, green, and blue can produce every color of the rainbow. This also makes me wonder why the three primary colors in art are red, blue and yellow (instead of green). With this information, I have realized why it is harder to see in dim light. Animals that have clearer eyesight in the dark most likely have multiple types of rods. It may be possibly in the future to alter the amount of rods and cones in our retinas to enhance vision.