Some People Might See More Colors Than Others Due to Genetic Variation

Genes supply humans with attributes that make them stand apart from others. Tetrachromacy is a genetic condition that gives its recipient the ability to grasp the world more fully than others, IFL Science reported. People with tetrachromacy can view more colors than other human beings. They have access to colors that are typically invisible to others.

This condition is so rare that researchers have not been able to garner enough data on individuals afflicted by it. Experts have yet to come up with a standardized test to check if a human has this condition or not. 

Tetrachromacy

Tetrachromacy occurs when a human can see colors through the four cones, which are located in the back of an eyeball, Healthline reported. Typically humans can see color only through three cones.

Evidence over the years suggests that certain individuals have four distinct color perception channels. A person with tetrachromacy can see 100 million shades of colors, which is much more than the one million shades, accessible to humans without this genetic condition.

According to research, this condition is more common in women than men. A study published in the Journal of Vision claims that around 12 percent of women could have tetrachromacy. 

Concetta Antico's Experience With Tetrachromacy

Concetta Antico could access the 'invisible' colors for as long as she was conscious, BBC reported. It took her a long time to figure out that her 'condition' was not typical and was unique. An art teacher by profession, she often used to ask her students about the various shades of colors she could see in their surroundings.

"I’d say, 'Look at the light on the water – can you see the pink shimmering across that rock? Can you see the red on the edge of that leaf there?'" she remembered. They would all nod in agreement. She figured out years later, that they were just being polite, and the 'colors' were only visible to her.

Experts have explained to her that this unique ability is a result of a variation that took place in one of her genes, which was responsible for retina development. "The little stones jump out at me with oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and pinks," she explains about her vision. "I’m kind of shocked when I realize what other people aren’t seeing."

Other Factors for Tetrachromacy

Tetrachromacy does not solely occur because of genetic variants, IFL Science reported. It depends on factors like the frequency setting of the fourth channel and the presence of a system that allows the brain to process the increased color information.

A 2010 research, examined 24 women with the genetic variance that causes tetrachromacy, and amongst them, only one displayed that condition. According to experts, more analysis is required to understand the reasonings that facilitate tetrachromacy within humans. It is only through acquired data and further investigation, that researchers can formulate a standardized test to analyze the level of tetrachromacy present in individuals.