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Related Concept Videos

Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview01:02

Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview

Ultraviolet–visible (UV–visible or UV–Vis) spectroscopy is an analytical technique that investigates the interaction between matter and UV–Vis light within the electromagnetic spectrum. This method is widely used for its versatility, simplicity, and relatively quick data acquisition, making it valuable for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. When UV–Vis radiation passes through a material,  molecules absorb light depending on the energy required for electronic transitions. As a result...
UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions01:16

UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions

In Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, the absorption of electromagnetic radiation is used to probe the electronic structure of molecules. This technique provides insights into molecular electronic transitions, particularly the movement of electrons between different molecular orbitals. Radiation is absorbed if the energy of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the molecule is precisely equal to the energy difference between the excited and ground states. During this process,...
UV–Vis Spectrometers01:14

UV–Vis Spectrometers

The absorbance of UV and visible (UV–visible) radiations is measured using a UV–visible spectrophotometer. Deuterium lamps, which emit UV radiation, and tungsten lamps, which produce radiation in the visible region, are used as light sources in UV–visible spectrophotometers. A monochromator or prism is used for diffraction grating, i.e., to split the incoming radiation into different wavelengths. A system of slits is used to focus the desired wavelength on the sample cell. Samples for...
Color Vision01:24

Color Vision

Color perception begins in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Two main theories explain how colors are seen: the trichromatic theory and the opponent-process theory. The trichromatic theory, proposed by Thomas Young in 1802 and extended by Hermann von Helmholtz in 1852, suggests that color vision is based on three types of cone receptors in the retina. These cones are sensitive to different but overlapping ranges of wavelengths corresponding to red, blue, and green.
Frequency-dependent Selection01:21

Frequency-dependent Selection

When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.Positive Frequency-Dependent SelectionIn positive...
UV–Vis Spectroscopy of Conjugated Systems01:32

UV–Vis Spectroscopy of Conjugated Systems

Organic compounds with conjugated double bonds show strong absorption features in the UV–visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum attributed to π → π* electronic excitations. Generally, a UV–vis absorption spectrum is recorded as a plot of absorbance vs wavelength. The wavelength of maximum absorbance, which manifests as a peak in the absorption spectrum, is denoted as λmax.
One of the factors influencing λmax is the extent of conjugation in the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Determination of Photoreceptor Cell Spectral Sensitivity in an Insect Model from In Vivo Intracellular Recordings
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Determination of Photoreceptor Cell Spectral Sensitivity in an Insect Model from In Vivo Intracellular Recordings

Published on: February 26, 2016

Do hummingbirds see in ultraviolet?

M Curé1, A G Palacios

  • 1Departamento de Física y Astronomía, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile.

The Open Medical Informatics Journal
|July 10, 2009
PubMed
Summary

We developed a numerical model to analyze electroretinograms (ERG) in hummingbirds. This model helps predict the retinal mechanisms, like cone pigments and oil droplets, involved in their complex color vision.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Vision Science
  • Computational Biology

Background:

  • The electroretinogram (ERG) measures retinal electrical activity.
  • Hummingbirds possess complex color vision, potentially tetrachromatic or pentachromatic.
  • Understanding the retinal basis of color vision is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a numerical model for fitting electroretinograms (ERG).
  • To evaluate retinal mechanisms, including cone pigments and oil droplets, in hummingbird color vision.
  • To assess the model's utility in predicting visual mechanisms across different retinal preparations.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a nonlinear numerical model.
  • Fitting the model to ERG data from hummingbirds.
Keywords:
Color visionelectroretinogramnon lineal model.

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  • Analysis of photoreceptor and oil droplet contributions.

    • Main Results:

    • The numerical model successfully fits hummingbird ERG data.
    • The model provides insights into the specific cone pigments and oil droplets involved.
    • The model demonstrates potential for predicting visual mechanisms in various retinal systems.

    Conclusions:

    • A novel numerical model can effectively analyze ERG data.
    • The model aids in understanding the complex color vision mechanisms in hummingbirds.
    • This approach is a valuable tool for studying retinal function in diverse species.