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What does the Young-Helmholtz trichromatic theory propose?

  1. The retina contains three different color receptors sensitive to red, green, and blue.

  2. Color vision is based on the activity of two opposing color systems.

  3. The perception of color is dependent on the frequency of light waves.

  4. Colors can only be perceived with a combination of light and dark receptors.

The correct answer is: The retina contains three different color receptors sensitive to red, green, and blue.

The Young-Helmholtz trichromatic theory proposes that the retina contains three different color receptors that are sensitive to red, green, and blue light. This theory suggests that all colors of light can be created by combining these three primary colors in varying intensities. This foundational concept in color vision explains how humans perceive a wide spectrum of colors through the activation and combination of signals from these three types of receptors. The theory aligns with the observation that individual cones in the retina are responsive to different wavelengths of light, which correspond to the colors red, green, and blue. In contrast, the other options do not accurately depict the trichromatic theory. The idea of opposing color systems relates to the opponent-process theory, which states that color perception is controlled by paired opposites, such as red vs. green and blue vs. yellow. The importance of frequency of light waves is acknowledged in the broader context of color vision but does not belong specifically to the trichromatic theory. Lastly, the notion of light and dark receptors pertains more to brightness and contrast detection rather than specifically to the perception of color as described in the trichromatic theory.