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Related Concept Videos

Vision01:24

Vision

Vision is the result of light being detected and transduced into neural signals by the retina of the eye. This information is then further analyzed and interpreted by the brain. First, light enters the front of the eye and is focused by the cornea and lens onto the retina—a thin sheet of neural tissue lining the back of the eye. Because of refraction through the convex lens of the eye, images are projected onto the retina upside-down and reversed.
Anatomy of the Eyeball01:20

Anatomy of the Eyeball

The eye is a spherical, hollow structure composed of three tissue layers. The outer layer — the fibrous tunic, comprises the sclera — a white structure — and the cornea, which is transparent. The sclera encompasses some of the ocular surface, most of which is not visible. However, the 'white of the eye' is distinctively visible in humans compared to other species. The cornea, a clear covering at the front of the eye, enables light penetration. The eye's middle layer, the vascular tunic,...
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
Group Polarization01:01

Group Polarization

Group polarization is the strengthening of an original group attitude following the discussion of views within a group (Teger & Pruitt, 1967). That is, if a group initially favors a viewpoint, after discussion the group consensus is likely a stronger endorsement of the viewpoint. Conversely, if the group was initially opposed to a viewpoint, group discussion would likely lead to stronger opposition.
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.
Channel Rhodopsins01:11

Channel Rhodopsins

Most organisms use photoreceptors to sense and respond to light. Examples of photoreceptors include bacteriorhodopsins and bacteriophytochromes in some bacteria, phytochromes in plants, and rhodopsins in the photoreceptor cells of the vertebral retina. The light-sensitive property of these receptors is because of the bound chromophores, such as bilin in the phytochromes and retinal in the rhodopsins.
Rhodopsins belong to the family of cell surface proteins called G-protein coupled receptors,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Determination of Photoreceptor Cell Spectral Sensitivity in an Insect Model from In Vivo Intracellular Recordings
08:33

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

Published on: February 26, 2016

Polarisation vision: beetles see circularly polarised light.

Eric J Warrant1

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Lund, Sölvegatan 35, S-22362 Lund, Sweden. Eric.Warrant@cob.lu.se

Current Biology : CB
|July 27, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Scarab beetles reflect circularly polarized light with their iridescent cuticles. New research shows these beetles can also perceive this light, suggesting its use as a covert visual signal.

Area of Science:

  • Animal behavior
  • Insect vision
  • Biophotonics

Background:

  • The iridescent cuticle of scarab beetles is known to reflect circularly polarized light.
  • The visual capabilities of scarab beetles regarding polarized light have not been fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether scarab beetles can perceive circularly polarized light.
  • To explore the potential use of circularly polarized light as a covert visual signal in scarab beetles.

Main Methods:

  • Behavioral experiments were designed to test scarab beetle responses to polarized light stimuli.
  • Electrophysiological recordings may have been used to assess photoreceptor sensitivity.

Main Results:

  • Scarab beetles demonstrated a behavioral response to circularly polarized light.

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  • Evidence suggests that scarab beetles possess the visual mechanisms to detect polarized light.

    • Conclusions:

    • Scarab beetles can perceive circularly polarized light.
    • This perception may play a role in intraspecific communication or other behaviors, serving as a covert visual channel.