[Phasic character of the process of color sensitivity in the visual analyzer]

In subjects with normal three-chromatic vision, during long-term uninterrupted adaptation (6--8 min) to spectral stimuli of different spectral areas (lambda=650+585 nm; lambda=535+585 nm), it was found that the state of color sensitivity undergoes changes in the form of alternating active (correct) and passive (wrong) phases of color discrimination. First, the phase of active color discrimination prevails, then both phases become sort of balanced, and in the end of the adaptation the phase of passive color discrimination increases considerably. The time of duration of these phases depends on the wave--length of the adapting stimulus.