Women can see millions of shades, but there is one nuance
Scientists have discovered that up to 12% of women may have a genetic potential for tetrachromacy—the presence of a fourth type of cone in the retina, which theoretically allows them to distinguish more color shades. However, having the gene does not guarantee unusual vision: the brain may not use the additional receptor. Researchers distinguish between weak and strong tetrachromacy, and confirming the ability to see millions of shades is more difficult than detecting the fourth type of cone.
Scientists have found that up to 12% of women may carry genes associated with tetrachromacy—the presence of an additional type of light-sensitive cells (cones) in the retina. Typically, the human eye uses three types of cones, sensitive to red, green, and blue spectra. In tetrachromacy, a fourth receptor appears, perceiving mainly the yellow-green part of the spectrum, which theoretically allows distinguishing shades that look the same to most people. However, the gene itself does not guarantee unusual vision: the brain may not use signals from the additional receptor as a separate source of color information. Researchers distinguish between weak and strong tetrachromacy. One of the most famous presumed tetrachromats is American artist Concetta Antico, who claims to be able to distinguish up to 100 million shades. Scientists have been studying her vision for over a decade but have not yet confirmed this unequivocally. Researchers suggest that her unusual perception may have developed through years of working with paints, but this remains a hypothesis.