Mr.

McNickle David Wu #32

1. Explain the trichromatic (Young-Helmholtz) theory of color vision. The trichromatic theory of color vision states that the retina contains three types of color receptors. Research has found three types of cones, each most sensitive to the wavelengths of one of the three primary colors of light (red, green or blue). When we stimulate combinations of these cones, we see other colors.

2. Explain the opponent-process theory of color vision. The opponent process theory of color vision proposed two additional color processes plus a third black versus white process. Research confirmed that when traveling to the brain, neurons in the retina and the thalamus code the color related information from the cones into pairs of opponent colors.

3. Why might it be argued that both theories are needed to fully explain how we see in color? Research suggests that the color processing occurs in two stages. It is arguable that both theories are needed to fully explain how we see in color because physiologist Hering pointed out that even those who are blind to red and green can still see yellow. As a result, the retinas red, green and blue cones respond in varying degrees to different color stimuli and the signals are then processed by the nervous systems opponent process to the visual cortex.

4. What is "parallel processing" of visual information, and how has its existence been shown experimentally? Parallel processing is the processing of several aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brains natural mode of information processing for many functions, including vision. Contrasts with the step by step processing of most computers and of conscious problem solving. The brain divides a visual scene into sub dimensions such as color, depth, movement, and form. By working in parallel, the visual cortex, through teams is, able to encode the electromagnetic radiation to neural messages. Through EEG recordings, it can be show to reveal such integration. At a rate of .25 of a second, thousands of neurons emit equivalent signals at a rate of 40 times a second creating gamma rays. When the back of brain is damaged, one can no longer perceive movement.