monivärikykyyn

Monivärikykyyn, known more commonly in English as tetrachromacy, is a condition where an individual possesses four distinct types of cone cells in their eyes, rather than the typical three. These cone cells are responsible for color perception. Most humans are trichromats, meaning they have red, green, and blue cone cells. Monivärikykyyn individuals, however, have an additional type of cone cell that allows them to perceive a broader spectrum of colors than typical humans.

The exact number of people with monivärikykyyn is not definitively known, but estimates suggest it may be more prevalent in women than in men. This is due to the genetic basis of the condition, which is linked to the X chromosome. While the fourth cone type is functional, the way the brain processes the information from these four cone types can vary, leading to differences in the subjective experience of color perception.

Individuals with monivärikykyyn may describe seeing subtle variations in colors that are indistinguishable to others. For example, they might perceive more shades of green, yellow, or red. It is important to note that monivärikykyyn is not a disease or a deficit; rather, it is a variation in human visual capability. Diagnosing monivärikykyyn typically involves specialized color vision tests that go beyond standard screenings.