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Summary: About 12% women have a mutation due to which they have 4 cones instead of 3 in their pupils. Most of the time the extra cone has an activation curve so

Summary: About 12% women have a mutation due to which they have 4 cones instead of 3 in their pupils. Most of the time the extra cone has an activation curve so close to another existing cone that it makes no practical difference. But in rare cases extra cone has a quite unique activation curve and allows to differentiate mixes of wavelengths that are perceived as the same color by most people. More in-depth explanations: https://theneurosphere.com/2015/12/17/the-mystery-of-tetrachromacy-if-12-of-women-have-four-cone-types-in-their-eyes-why-do-so-few-of-them-actually-see-more-colours/ https://theneurosphere.com/2015/12/17/the-mystery-of-tetrach...

layoutIfNeeded 7y ago
In their pupils?
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
- willis936 7y ago
  Rods and cones are in the retina, which is the inner lining in the back of the eye. You see the retina when looking into pupils.
everybodyknows 7y ago
Skip to the bottom of the neurosphere link to get to the scientific studies. This one is especially good: http://jov.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2191517 http://jov.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2191517
guenthert 7y ago
Further, I'd think the brain must value that extra information, lest it'll just ignore it. If a kid is told that oranges are orange and bananas are yellow, will it actually develop a sense that there are different shades? Otoh, the ability to pick the bananas which are just perfectly ripe or the sweetest strawberries might come in handy. Oranges, bananas and strawberries might be bad examples as to some degree trichromats can perform such feats, but there might be other fruits and vegetables for which this would be more difficult.
hanniabu 7y ago
In curious, would you say she has a particularly unique clothing style? And would you say she has a better than average ability to match? Also curious if she has a profession or hobby that utilizes her extra abilities. Does anybody else in her family also have this condition?

layoutIfNeeded 7y ago

In their pupils?

deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
willis936 7y ago
Rods and cones are in the retina, which is the inner lining in the back of the eye. You see the retina when looking into pupils.

everybodyknows 7y ago

Skip to the bottom of the neurosphere link to get to the scientific studies. This one is especially good: http://jov.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2191517 http://jov.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2191517

guenthert 7y ago

Further, I'd think the brain must value that extra information, lest it'll just ignore it. If a kid is told that oranges are orange and bananas are yellow, will it actually develop a sense that there are different shades? Otoh, the ability to pick the bananas which are just perfectly ripe or the sweetest strawberries might come in handy. Oranges, bananas and strawberries might be bad examples as to some degree trichromats can perform such feats, but there might be other fruits and vegetables for which this would be more difficult.

hanniabu 7y ago

In curious, would you say she has a particularly unique clothing style? And would you say she has a better than average ability to match? Also curious if she has a profession or hobby that utilizes her extra abilities. Does anybody else in her family also have this condition?