Answer 1:
To understand how color works, we need to look
a little closer into how the human eye is
constructed, see basic anatomy of the eye
here
In the retina, there are cells known as
photoreceptors that are responsible for our
vision. Two types of photoreceptors exist- rods
and cones. Rods are for vision are low light
and don't contribute to color perception. Cones on
the other hand are active a high light levels and
contribute to color perception. These
photoreceptors are color sensitive to three types
of colors- blue(ish), green(ish), and
red(ish). I add an "ish" because there is a
distribution of wavelengths to which these
photoreceptors are sensitive . Our
perception of color happens when light strikes
these photoreceptors and interact with the
pigments inside.
It turns out lots of animals have cones that are
receptive to wavelengths of light outside what we
consider "visible light." Read more about it
here . My favorite is the mantis shrimp. The
Oatmeal (a webcomic) does a far better job at
portraying the awesomeness that is the mantis
shrimp, so
I will let it speak for itself .
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