How do our eyes perceive colors?

Answer 1

Our eyes perceive colors through a process called color vision. This process is carried out by specialized cells in the retina of the eye known as photoreceptors. These photoreceptors contain pigments that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light.

There are two types of photoreceptor cells in the retina: rods and cones. Rods are responsible for detecting low levels of light and are mostly involved in night vision. Cones, on the other hand, are responsible for detecting colors and are more active in daylight conditions.

There are three types of cones that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light - short wavelengths (blue), medium wavelengths (green), and long wavelengths (red). When light enters the eye, it stimulates these cones and sends signals to the brain through the optic nerve. The brain then processes these signals and interprets them as different colors.

The color we perceive is determined by the combination of signals received from these cones. For example, if all three types of cones are equally stimulated, we perceive white light. If only the long wavelength cones are stimulated, we perceive red light. The brain processes these signals to create the rich and vibrant array of colors that we see in the world around us.