Why can’t humans see more color?

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What’s preventing our eyes from being able to see the full spectrum of color?

In: Biology

2 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

It’s the structure of the eye. We don’t have the sensory cells needed to detect light further in the spectrum. Parts of the eye also filter out additional
wavelengths. For instances, a guy who had eye surgery to remove his clouded and deformed lenses and cornea could suddenly see a little ways into the ultraviolet range.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Our eyes didn’t evolve to do do, that’s it. Our eyes evolved to see in the conditions that were most useful for the cost. Some animals can see wavelengths a little above or below our limits, but not by a ton. I’m not 100% sure why our visible range is where it is, but I presume it’s because it wouldn’t be very helpful to see a greater range, relative to the cost of more complex eyes.