There are some women in the world who can see more colors than normal humans. While a normal person can distinguish about 10 lakh colors, some rare women can perceive subtle differences of up to 10 crore colors. In science this amazing ability is called “Tetrachromacy”. This is not a magical power, but a special biological process related to eyes and genetics.
Human eyes have “cone cells” to detect color. Generally, three types of cone cells are found in humans, which recognize red, green and blue color waves. By the mixture of these three we are able to see millions of colors. This process is called “trichromacy,” and most men and women are trichromats.
But in some rare women, a fourth cone cell also develops. This additional cone cell helps in recognizing very subtle waves of colors. Due to this, she can easily understand thousands of differences between light and dark colors, which appear almost the same to common people.
According to scientists, tetrachromacy is related to genetics. The genes that detect red and green colors are present on the X chromosome. Women have two
Whereas men have only one X and one Y chromosome (XY), so it is considered almost impossible for them to develop this ability. It is estimated that about 2 to 3 percent of women in the world have this genetic potential, but in reality very few women are able to fully utilize this potential.
The evolution of tetrachromacy is also thought to be linked to birds. Many birds such as parrots and pigeons have four or five types of cone cells. They can see up to ultraviolet light, which helps them identify food and mates.
Scientists believe that ancient mammals had only two cone cells. Later, a third cone cell developed in the ancestors of primates i.e. monkeys and humans, so that they could easily identify ripe fruits among the trees. Human tetrachromacy is thought to be a rare form of the same evolutionary process.
In some scientific tests, women have proven this ability by recognizing more color differences than normal people. There are some tests available online that try to tell the difference between very close colors. However, special laboratory tests are necessary for correct identification.
Australian artist Concetta Antico is a famous example of this. There are so many nuances of colors in his paintings that common people cannot even recognize them with their normal eyes.
Tetrachromacy proves that nature is still full of mysteries. This ability shows some women a world of colors which a normal person cannot even imagine.