REPORT ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF COLOR VISION BY PHYSIOLOGY PRACTICAL

GROUP 1 WHICH HAS BEEN WRITTEN AND COMPILED BY THE FOLLOWING

MEMBERS.

Name Registration number

AMOS MUSILA HSM211-0109/2023

AUSTIN APILI HSM211-0110/2023

BENJAMIN MUMO HSM211-0111/2023

ISAAC NGARI HSM211-0112/2023

KIBUTHIA PIUS HSM211-0113/2023

DAMARIS MUANGE HSM211-0114/2023

LIFE BUYANZI HSM211-0115/2023

MICHAEL MUTUA HSM211-0116/2023

LEE MAANTU HSM211-0119/2023

MWANGI DOREEN HSM211-0121/2023

DUB ADHI HSM211-0122/2023

JINETH CHEROTICH HSM211-0124/2023

OCHIENG' GRACE AKINYI HSM211-0125/2023

CECILIA AWINJA HSM211-0127/2023

LILIAN MUENI HSM211-0082/2022

TITLE: PHYSIOLOGY OF COLOR VISION.

AIM:

1. To explain the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of color vision including the function
of cone cells and rhodopsin.

2. To explore the role of color vision in daily life and its importance for adaptation and
communication.

(Contribution of the above title and aim is by Ochieng’Grace Akinyi- HSM211-0125/2023)

INTRODUCTION.

Color vision physiology is the study of how the visual system processes and interprets light of
different wavelengths or colors. The human visual system is capable of perceiving a wide range
of colors from approximately 380 nanometers (violet) to 780 nanometers (red) although the exact
range can vary slightly from person to person.

The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that contains two types of
photoreceptors: rods and cones. Rods are sensitive to low light levels and are responsible for
peripheral and night vision while cones are sensitive to color and are responsible for central
vision.

There are three types of cones in the human retina each sensitive to different ranges of
wavelengths:

• Long-wavelength cones (L-cones) respond to red light (600-700 nm).

• Medium-wavelength cones (M-cones) respond to green light (500-600 nm).

• Short-wavelength cones (S-cones) respond to blue light (400-500 nm).

The signals from the L, M and S cones are transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve and
processed by the lateral geniculate nucleus which combines the signals from the three types of
cones using a color opponent process.

The brain takes the combined signals and interprets them as color using color constancy and
contrast. The final stage of color vision physiology is the interpretation of color by the brain
which involves the hue, saturation and lightness of the color.

Human beings exhibit trichromatic vision. Approximately 8% of men and 0•5% of women have
color blindness. Human brain also adapts to changes in lighting conditions.

( Contribution of the above introduction is by Dub Adhi – HSM211-0122/2023 and Jineth

Cherotich – HSM211-0124/2023)

RESULTS

Colored Plates were used. The following were the results as observed by different individuals:

Number seen on each plate is:

Plate number Number seen on plate by Number seen by persons with

normal vision either red and green
deficiency or total color
blindness(respectively)

1. 12 nothing

2. 8 3, nothing

3. 6 5, nothing
4. 29 70, nothing

5. 57 35, nothing

6. 5 2, nothing

7. 3 Nothing

8. 15 17, nothing

9. 74 21, nothing

10. 2 Nothing

11. 6 Nothing

12. 97 Nothing

13. 45 Nothing

14. 5 Nothing

15. 7 Nothing

16. 16 Nothing

17. 73 Nothing

18. Nothing 5
 19. Nothing 2

20. Nothing 45

21. Nothing 73

22. 26 6,2

23. 42 4,2

24. 35 5,3

25. 96 6,9

( By Isaac Ngari Muriithii- HSM211-0112/2023, Benjamin Mumo- HSM211-011/2023 and Lee

Maantu –HSM211-0119/2023)

DISCUSSION

Color vision deficiency is one of the common most disorders of vision and can be divided into
congenital and acquired forms. Congenital color vision deficiency affects 8% of males and 0.5%
of females. The difference in the prevalence reflects the fact that the common forms of
congenital color vision deficiency are inherited in an X- linked recessive manner. Normal human
color vision is trichromatic meaning that any color can be produced by a mixture of the three
primary colors.

Congenital color vison deficiency results from genetic mutations that affect the expression of the
full complement of normal cone photoreceptors. The congenital deficiencies are classified into
anomalous trichromacy, dichromacy and monochromacy according to severity. They can also be
classified according to the types of rodes affected.
In anomalous trichromacy, the three primary color cones are present, however the way in which
the primary colors mix is aberrant, such that they accept color matches that a person with normal
color vision will not. It is subdivided into: protanomaly where by the red cones are affected,
deuteranomaly where by the green cones are affected and tritanomaly where b the blue cones are
affected.

In dichromacy, one class of cone is effectively replaced by another. In monohromacy color

discrimination is absent. It is the severest form.

The genetic basis of red –green color vision deficiency is that it arises from mutations to the
genes coding for the red or green cone photo pigments or their promoter regions.

Tritan color deficiency involves the blue cones and it is rare than the red-green deficiency. It
results due to due to missense mutations in the blue-cone photo pigment area on chromosome 7.

(By Mwangi Doreen –HSM211-0121/2023, Cecilia Awinja- HSM211-0127/2023 and Michael

Mutua hsm211-0116/2023)

CONCLUSION

The physiology of color vision is based on the function of photoreceptor cells in the retina,
particularly the three types of cone cells that detect different wavelengths of light. These cones
facilitate trichromatic vision, which is fundamental to color discrimination.

Genetic and biochemical research has uncovered the molecular basis of color vision and the
effects of mutations in photo pigment genes, leading to color vision deficiencies. These findings
are vital for understanding the evolutionary development of vision and have practical
applications in diagnosing and treating color blindness.

Neural processing of color information extends from the retina to the visual cortex, involving
complex networks that ensure accurate color perception. Future research should focus genetic
and environmental factors affecting color vision, neuroplasticity, and advanced technologies for
visual rehabilitation. This will enhance both scientific understanding and practical applications in
vision science.
The Ishihara test is a highly effective diagnostic tool for identifying red-green color blindness,
the most common type of color vision deficiency. By using plates with specific color patterns,
the test can reveal how well an individual distinguishes between different colors. This simplicity
and effectiveness make it a valuable resource in various fields.

Effectiveness: The test’s design allows for easy identification of red-green color blindness.
Individuals with normal color vision can see the numbers or patterns on the plates, while those
with color blindness may struggle or see different numbers.

Practical Applications; The Ishihara test is crucial in fields like aviation and design, where color
vision is essential for safety and quality control. It is also used in medical and educational
settings to diagnose color blindness, helping to create supportive environments for affected
individuals.

This understanding has enabled researchers and medical professionals to explain the prevalence
of color blindness among individuals with otherwise normal color vision, as demonstrated in the
Ishihara test experiment.

(Contribution by Kibutha Pius Mutharimi-HSM211-0113/2023, Life Buyanzi-HSM211-

0115/2023 and Musila Mwengi- HSM211-0109/2023.)

REFERENCES

 Birch J. Efficiency of the Ishihara test for identifying red-green colour deficiency.
Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 1997 Sep;17(5):403-8.
 Spalding JA. Color vision deficiency in the medical Profession. Br J Gen Pract 1999;
49(443): 469–475
 Mancuso K, Hauswirth WW, Li Q, Connor TB, Kuchenbecker JA, Manck MC, et al.
Gene therapy for Red-green colour blindness in adult primates. Nature 2009; 461(7265):
737–739.
 Carroll, Joseph, and Bevil R. Conway. “Color vision.” Handbook of Clinical Neurology.
Vol. 178. Elsevier, 2021. 131-153.
 Nathans, Jeremy, Darcy Thomas, and David S. Hogness. “Molecular genetics of human
color vision: the genes encoding blue, green, and red pigments.” Science 232.4747
(1986): 193-202.
 Ebrey, Thomas, and Yiannis Koutalos. “Vertebrate photoreceptors.” Progress in retinal
and eye research 20.1 (2001): 49-94.
 Swarbrick, Helen A., et al. “The ChromaGen contact lens system: colour vision test
results and subjective responses.” Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 21.3 (2001): 182-
196.