Suppose you stare at an illustration of the American flag for a while, then glance at a blank white page. The red stripes look green when you glance at the blank page because Multiple Choice the receptor cells for the green component of the pairing begin to adapt. the receptor cells for the red component of the pairing become fatigued. cones responsive to green light begin firing. consive to red light stop firing.

When you focus on the American flag, your red cone cells are constantly firing to perceive the red stripes. After a while, these red receptors become fatigued and less sensitive. So, when you look away at a blank white page, the vibrant red now appears green because your fatigued red receptors are unable to respond as well, while the green receptors are still fresh and ready to respond, creating a visual aftereffect. This phenomenon illustrates the concept of color adaptation, where our eyes adjust to prolonged exposure to certain colors. It’s a playful reminder of how our perception can shift based on what we've been looking at, making the world visually dynamic! Color theory, color contrast, and the complexities of human vision all play a role in this fascinating experience you just encountered.