• Question: Will there ever be a new colour?

    Asked by to Andrew, Elaine, Emma, Michael, Nancy on 19 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Michael Kelly

      Michael Kelly answered on 19 Jun 2014:


      Its very unlikely. Colour is our response to a type of radiation. We have three varieties of cone or photoreceptors which code the radiation, so until we evolve a new photoreceptor we’re stuck with the colours we have.

    • Photo: Andrew French

      Andrew French answered on 20 Jun 2014:


      I agree with Michael. We seem to cope pretty well in the world with understanding the ones we have already, so there’s no biological reason to extend the number.

      Michael, am I right in thinking some people only have 2 out of 3 colour receptors in the eye? Do they only have a limited range of colours

    • Photo: Nancy Carlisle

      Nancy Carlisle answered on 20 Jun 2014:


      I agree with Michael, it would take a lot of evolution to change what colors humans are sensitive to. But there are cultural differences in what color divisions are given verbal labels!

    • Photo: Emma Reid

      Emma Reid answered on 20 Jun 2014:


      Michael is right. As long as we only have 3 types of cone then we’re stuck with the colours we already have. 🙂
      Emma

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