2006-08-01 12:43:47 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
I didn't ask for the primary colors of the "pure colors." I meant including all shades of grey and so on, how many different colors can we see?
2006-08-03 13:46:48 · update #1
Wikipedia
2006-08-06 19:22:58 · answer #1 · answered by rod 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an MD. There are only three pure colors that the human eye can see. They are blue, yellow-green, and red. corresponding to the three kinds of cone present in our retinas. All other colors are "computer processed" by your brain based on various ratios of these three colors. This is why your computer screen that you are using now is built around these same three colors, so that your brain receives the right color ratios to create all the other colors that are possible on your computer screen. The various color combos in real life are essentially infinite, and on your computer screen nearly so, i.e. 256 to the 3rd power, I believe. those of us who are color blind usually lack the red cones, and so the "colors" that they see are not knowable, except to those who have the deficit. Any alien life forms that use a different color scheme will find our computer screens very weird, I am sure.
2006-08-01 13:30:55 · answer #2 · answered by Sciencenut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Also, you must remember the eyes ability to pickup light in only a certain wavelength - "Visable spectrum" There are insects and other animals that can see colors ourside of the spectrum that we see.
2006-08-05 12:06:46 · answer #3 · answered by heyguy101 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
256 i think
2006-08-01 13:19:45 · answer #4 · answered by wllshtt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all of them (unless you consider ultra-violet a color), then almost all of them.
2006-08-01 12:48:10 · answer #5 · answered by snowdzine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋