Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Scientists find color vision system independent of motion detection

Scientists find color vision system independent of motion detection

March 20, 2008

The vision system used to process color is separate from that used to detect motion, according to a new study by researchers at New York University's Center for Developmental Genetics and in the Department of Genetics and Neurobiology at Germany's University of Würzburg. The findings, which appear in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, run counter to previous scholarship that suggested motion detection and color contrast may work in tandem.

The study's authors are: Claude Desplan of NYU's Center for Developmental Genetics; Reinhard Wolf and Martin Heisenberg of the University of Würzburg; and Satoko Yamaguchi, who holds appointments at both institutions.




Whether motion vision uses color contrast is a controversial issue that has been investigated in several species--from insects to humans. In human vision, it had been widely believed that color and motion were processed by parallel pathways. More recently, however, the complete segregation of motion detection and color vision came into question.

To explore this matter, the NYU and University of Würzburg researchers examined the fruit fly Drosophila. Fruit flies' development is well-understood by biologists and therefore serves as an appropriate focus for analyses. Specifically, they monitored Drosophila's optomotor response to moving color stimuli in both normal and mutant flies, with some of the mutant flies lacking the photoreceptors necessary for motion detection and others without the photoreceptors needed to process color.

The results showed that flies lacking the photoreceptors for detecting color showed the same ability to detect motion as normal flies. The researchers then concluded that the color channel does not contribute to motion detection.

"The finding that motion detection is independent of color contrast is somewhat counterintuitive," said NYU's Desplan. "Color is thought to increase the salience of objects, such as red fruits in the green foliage of trees."

"However, our results in the fly demonstrate that color is strictly excluded from processing directional motion information, which suggests two separate functional pathways," he added. "Whether, inversely, the motion detection system is involved in color vision in Drosophila remains to be determined."

New York University



Related Color Vision Current Events and Color Vision News Articles Color Vision Current Events and Color Vision News RSS Color Vision Current Events and Color Vision News RSS
New insight into primate eye evolution
Researchers comparing the fetal development of the eye of the owl monkey with that of the capuchin monkey have found that only a minor difference in the timing of cell proliferation can explain the multiple anatomical differences in the two kinds of eyes.

'Gecko vision': Key to the multifocal contact lens of the future?
Nocturnal geckos are among the very few living creatures able to see colors at night, and scientists' discovery of series of distinct concentric zones may lead to insight into better cameras and contact lenses.

Hundreds of natural-selection studies could be wrong, study demonstrates
Scientists at Penn State and the National Institute of Genetics in Japan have demonstrated that several statistical methods commonly used by biologists to detect natural selection at the molecular level tend to produce incorrect results.

Mutated gene in zebrafish sheds light on blindness in humans
Among zebrafish, the eyes have it. Inside them is a mosaic of light-sensitive cells whose structure and functions are nearly identical to those of humans.

Elephant shark genome sequence leads to discovery of color perception in deep-sea fish
The elephant shark, a primitive deep-sea fish that belongs to the oldest living family of jawed vertebrates, can see color much like humans can.

Atomic-resolution views suggest function of enzyme that regulates light-detecting signals in eye
An atomic-resolution view of an enzyme found only in the eye has given researchers at the University of Washington (UW) clues about how this enzyme, essential to vision, is activated.

NYU Researchers id new class of photoreceptors,pointing to new ways sights-and smells-are regulated
The identification of a new class of photoreceptors in the retina of fruit flies sheds light on the regulation of the pigments of the eye that confer color vision, researchers at New York University's Center for Developmental Genetics report in a new study appearing in the Public Library of Science's journal, PloS Biology.

NYU scientists set stage for understanding how color vision is processed
New York University biologists have mapped the medulla circuitry in fruit flies, setting the stage for subsequent research on how color vision is processed.

New study uncovers secrets behind butterfly wing patterns
The genes that make a fruit fly's eyes red also produce red wing patterns in the Heliconius butterfly found in South and Central America, finds a new study by a UC Irvine entomologist.

The aye-ayes have it: The preservation of color vision in a creature of the night
A quest to gain a more complete picture of color vision evolution has led Biodesign Institute researcher Brian Verrelli to an up-close, genetic encounter with one of the world's most rare and bizarre-looking primates.
More Color Vision Current Events and Color Vision News Articles
Color Vision: From Genes to Perception

Color Vision: From Genes to Perception
by Karl R. Gegenfurtner (Editor), Lindsay T. Sharpe (Editor), B. B. Boycott (Editor)

Color Vision: From Genes to Perception documents the present state of understanding regarding primate color vision in 20 review articles written by 35 leading international experts. The articles range from genes, the molecular genetics of the human cone photopigment genes, to perception, the color processing of complex scenes. Detailed overviews of such basic topics as cone spectral sensitivity and color processing in the retina and cortex are included. Introductions are given to important and innovative technologies such as molecular genetics, anatomical staining, visual psychophysics, intracellular and extracellular physiological recordings, and functional magnetic resonance imaging. Color Vision is intended for graduate students and research specialists. By bringing together scientists...

The Vision Revolution: How the Latest Research Overturns Everything We Thought We Knew About Human Vision

The Vision Revolution: How the Latest Research Overturns Everything We Thought We Knew About Human Vision
by Mark Changizi (Author)

Primates evolved binocular vision (both eyes facing forward) so that they can see in three dimensions, critical as they jumped from branch to branch. Higher primates developed color vision to better hunt out ripe fruit. Optical illusions succeed because they exploit the limitations of our visual processing. Wrong!

All of these beliefs are false, as groundbreaking research by evolutionary scientist and neurobiologist Mark Changizi now reveals. Changizi's research centers on the "why" of human vision. Why do we have binocular vision? Why do we see in color the way we do? Why do optical illusions work? And why are we able to absorb information by reading―a very new invention from an evolutionary perspective―more readily than by hearing, which we've evolved to do over hundreds of...

Q-See QSC48030 High Resolution Weatherproof CCD Camera w/80ft of Night Vision (Color)

Q-See QSC48030 High Resolution Weatherproof CCD Camera w/80ft of Night Vision (Color)
by Digital Peripheral Solutions

QSC48030 is an Outdoor video Color CCD camera. With CCD technology, it delivers the most sophisticated technology into the most reliable and accurate quality picture in the security industry Its ideal for monitoring or recording. The package includes a 60-ft. cable to allow flexible installation. Connect the camera to any TV/VCR and start viewing or recording immediately. Q-See outdoor cameras are built to withstand all the elements of nature. Rain, snow or hot sun will not deter the camera from sending clear video. The design of the camera incorporates a weatherproof metal casing with an "O" ring seal to keep the high resolution lens and the internal parts safe from nature. With the 36 Infra Red LEDs that light up at night, the camera will give black and white night vision for up to 80...

Color Vision Testing Made Easy by Terrance Waggoner, OD

Color Vision Testing Made Easy by Terrance Waggoner, OD
by Good-Lite Company

This color book for testing children uses simple, easy-to-recognize symbols; is appropriate for children as young as 3; and is the Gold Standard for testing individuals with mental impairments. Includes Quick 6 Color Test for a limited time only.

Astak 2.4 GHz Pan & Tilt Baby Camera with 2.5" LCD Color Handheld Monitor with Night Vision

Astak 2.4 GHz Pan & Tilt Baby Camera with 2.5" LCD Color Handheld Monitor with Night Vision
by Team Research Inc.

The BM-2000 camera can be tilted and turned by the "parents unit" to provide maximum control and it allows you to monitor your pretty baby while moving around the house or garden: Ideal for watching a toddler who is walking around or for families with more than one child in the house (you can watch you pretty baby sleeping or make sure that an active 5 year old stays out of trouble). The BM-2000 infrared abilities assure that you can watch over your kids at all hours of the night without waking them up (you don't even need to get out of bed). And if you are bored of bringing baby clothes or infant bedding to every baby shower, this hand held baby video monitor makes a great baby shower gifts.

Color Vision Magic Trick

Color Vision Magic Trick
by Miracle Magic

With this amazing beginner magic trick you can instantly read your friends mind! Just let your friend put the cube in the box with any color facing up... you can then instantly know what color they selected!

Vision X HIL-STM Multi Color LED Strobe and Rock Light Kit

Vision X HIL-STM Multi Color LED Strobe and Rock Light Kit
by Vision X

Tantrum consists of 8, 3 watt LED pods making it the brightest LED strobe light system on the market. No more unreliable ballasts or bulbs to burn out. Weatherproof housings allows these Tantrum pods to be mounted anywhere - in headlights, undercar, wheel wells, under dash or even in a speaker box. Each kit comes with a master controller, a wireless remote and a Built in microphone. When dependability and performance are factors in your field, Tantrum is the product you want on your vehicle.

Vision Quest

Vision Quest
Starring: Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino, Michael Schoeffling, Ronny Cox, Daphne Zuniga
Directed By: Harold Becker

Vision Quest is a coming of age movie in which high school wrestler Louden Swain (Matthew Modine) decides he wants to be something more than an average high school athlete and sets his sights on a prize that many don't think he can win -- he then sets out to reach his goal alone, without much support from his father or coach. His father rents a room to a young drifter, Carla (Linda Fiorentino). Swain falls in love with her and she helps him stay focused and prevents him from losing sight of his goals. Although a lower-budget film than Flashdance or Top Gun, this movie is similar in theme and style. Madonna makes her first appearance in a major motion picture as a lead singer in a local band performing her hit songs "Crazy For You" and "Gambler".

ELECTRIC Sky BLUE vivid Maximum color colored contact lenses, vivid BLUE colored contact lenses (non prescription)

ELECTRIC Sky BLUE vivid Maximum color colored contact lenses, vivid BLUE colored contact lenses (non prescription)
by Marietta vision

---this lens BLUE BLUE.....perfect for gogo dancing, dancers and entertainers since this lens screams BLUE from feets away! Pair of factory COLOR MAX sealed BLUE lenses by Marietta Vision---It provides A LOT OB BLUE color and guarantee to change any eye color even the darkest browns---will give a BLUE color to even green and hazel eye and perfect for some one looking to get that Maximum blue color. --Great for photoshoots, shows, dancing, go go dancing costume lens and club wear--Les last THREE MONTHS =90days of wear time.

Able Vision Tube Readers Reading Glasses - MT-1 Ultra-Thin Black / Color: Black Power: +3.00 +3.00

Able Vision Tube Readers Reading Glasses - MT-1 Ultra-Thin Black / Color: Black Power: +3.00 +3.00
by Able Vision

Discreet, ULTRA-THIN Tube Reading glasses only slightly larger than a pen [125mm]: Designed with SPRING HINGES on LIGHTWEIGHT & durable METAL frames in a choice of colors. Each frame comes with a HARD, protective TUBE CASE. [38-18-125]

© 2009 BrightSurf.com