Question 1

Pairs of colors that produce white or gray when combined in equal measure are
A) achromatic.
B) chromatic.
C) complementary.
D) opposite.
E) antagonistic.

Accepted Answer

Complementary colors, when combined in equal measure, produce shades of gray or white, depending on the color system being used (e.g., in additive color mixing, red and cyan). This is because complementary colors are directly opposite each other on the color wheel, meaning they contain light wavelengths that, when combined, cover the full spectrum visible to the human eye, resulting in white or gray.

Question 2

According to the retinex theory,the color of an object depends on
A) its reflectance.
B) the proportion of light of different wavelengths that it reflects.
C) the dominant wavelength that it reflects.
D) all of the above
E) both A and B

Accepted Answer

According to the retinex theory, the color of an object depends on both its reflectance (the amount of light it reflects) and the proportion of light of different wavelengths that it reflects. Therefore, the best choice is E, which states that the answer is both A (reflectance) and B (proportion of light of different wavelengths).

Question 3

The trichromatic theory of color vision is
A) supported by complementary afterimages.
B) a version of the opponent-process theory.
C) supported by monochromatic colors.
D) also known as the opponent theory.
E) also known as the component theory.

Accepted Answer

The trichromatic theory of color vision is also known as the component theory, which states that all colors can be derived by combining three primary colors - red, blue, and green. This theory is supported by the fact that the human eye has three types of cones that are sensitive to these colors.

Question 4

The main function of color constancy is to ensure that
A) lights of the same wavelength appear to be the same color.
B) lights of different wavelengths appear to be different colors.
C) lights of the same wavelength appear to be the same color, regardless of their intensity.
D) an object appears to be the same color despite changes in the wavelengths of light that it is reflecting.
E) complementary colors always look complementary.

Accepted Answer

Color constancy is the ability of the human visual system to perceive colors of objects consistently despite changes in the illumination conditions. This means that even if the wavelengths of the light reflecting off an object change, our brain perceives the same color for that object. This is important for accurate perception of color in different lighting conditions. Therefore, the best choice is D, which describes how color constancy ensures that an object appears to be the same color despite changes in the wavelengths of light that it is reflecting.

Question 5

The component theory and the opponent theory are theories of
A) edge perception.
B) visual illusions.
C) wavelength.
D) color vision.
E) color mixing.

Accepted Answer

The component theory and opponent theory are theories related to color vision. The component theory suggests that there are three types of color receptors in the human eye, each sensitive to a different range of wavelengths. The opponent theory suggests that color vision is based on three opponent channels: black-white, blue-yellow, and red-green. Both these theories explain how the human brain processes and interprets color information.

Question 6

The opponent theory appears to provide the best explanation of color coding at the
A) bipolar level.
B) retinal ganglion cell level.
C) cortical level.
D) receptor level.
E) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of The opponent theory appears to provide the...

Question 7

Posterior parietal cortex is considered to be
A) association cortex.
B) secondary visual cortex.
C) primary visual cortex.
D) primary cortex.
E) paleocortex.

Accepted Answer

Posterior parietal cortex is an association cortex, meaning it integrates sensory information from multiple modalities and is involved in higher-order cognitive functions such as attention, spatial awareness, and motor planning. While it does receive input from the visual system, it is not the primary or secondary visual cortex. It is not considered a primary cortex as it does not directly receive input from sensory organs. It is also not a paleocortex, which refers to older evolutionary regions of the brain.

Question 8

Which of the following pairs of colors is complementary?
A) green and red
B) green and blue
C) green and yellow
D) green and purple
E) green and tan

Accepted Answer

Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. Green and red are opposite each other, making them complementary colors.

Question 9

The existence of complementary color afterimages supports
A) the opponent-process theory.
B) the component theory.
C) the trichromatic theory.
D) a hierarchical model.
E) spatial-frequency theory.

Accepted Answer

Complementary afterimages are a phenomenon where we see the opposite colors of the ones we were previously looking at. For example, if we look at a green object and then look at a white surface, we will see a magenta afterimage. According to the opponent-process theory, there are three pairs of opposing colors: red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white. When we look at a color for a long enough time, the cells responsible for that color become fatigued and their opposing partners take over, producing an afterimage of the opposite color. Therefore, the existence of complementary afterimages is consistent with the predictions of the opponent-process theory.

Question 10

The phenomenon of color constancy makes the point that
A) the perceived color of an object is not solely determined by the wavelengths of light that it reflects.
B) color is trichromatic.
C) color perception is trichromatic.
D) component and opponent processing are equal.
E) color and wavelength are the same thing.

Accepted Answer

Color constancy refers to the ability of our visual system to perceive the color of an object as relatively constant under different lighting conditions. This implies that the perceived color of an object is not solely determined by the wavelengths of light that it reflects, as different lighting conditions may alter the spectral composition of the light that enters our eyes. Instead, color constancy suggests that our visual system adjusts for these changes in illumination and perceives the color of an object relative to its context, rather than as an absolute property of the object.

Question 11

According to Land's retinex theory,an object's color depends on
A) its reflectance.
B) the color of the wavelengths that it reflects.
C) the dominant color of the various wavelengths that it reflects.
D) the particular wavelengths that it reflects.
E) the interactions between complementary receptors.

Accepted Answer

Land's retinex theory proposes that an object's color perception is based on the object's reflectance, or the amount of light it reflects. This theory suggests that our brain uses information about the relative reflectance of different parts of the scene to determine the color we perceive. Therefore, the correct choice is A, its reflectance.

Question 12

Color perception would be of less survival value if the color of an object
A) did not change under different illumination.
B) changed under different illumination.
C) were not a hue.
D) were not chromatic.
E) were influenced by its wavelength.

Accepted Answer

In order for color vision to have survival value, the color of each object must appear to be the same under the vastly different viewing conditions characteristic of the natural world.

Question 13

Evidence indicates that the component theory provides the best explanation of color coding at the
A) complex cell level.
B) simple cell level.
C) receptor level.
D) bipolar level.
E) retinal ganglion cell level.

Accepted Answer

The component theory proposes that different receptors in the retina are specialized for the detection of different colors, and that color perception is based on a comparison of the activity in these receptors. Therefore, the component theory applies to the receptor level of color coding.

Question 14

Recent studies of the function of primary visual cortex neurons using natural visual scenes rather than simple artificial stimuli have discovered that
A) some neurons respond only to trees.
B) some neurons respond only to color.
C) visual neurons are plastic: As a background scene changes, the way that a neuron responds to elements in its receptive field changes.
D) all of the above
E) both A and B

Accepted Answer

Recent studies have shown that visual neurons in the primary visual cortex exhibit plasticity, meaning that their response to specific elements in their receptive field can change as the background context changes. This means that rather than being tuned to specific features such as trees or color, neurons are better understood as analyzing visual scenes in their entirety.

Question 15

Somehow the visual system compares the wavelengths of light reflected by adjacent areas of a visual display,and on this basis color is perceived.The cells that appear to perform this function are
A) cones.
B) dual-opponent color cells.
C) simple cortical color cells.
D) trichromatic color cells.
E) complex cortical color cells.

Accepted Answer

Dual-opponent color cells compare the wavelengths of light reflected by adjacent areas of a visual display and help in the perception of color. The other options mentioned are also involved in color perception, but only dual-opponent color cells perform the specific function mentioned in the question.

Question 16

A peg-like,cytochrome-oxidase-rich column of dual-opponent color cells is called
A) an "on-off" color peg.
B) a blob.
C) a color field.
D) an aggregate color peg.
E) a dual-opponent peg.

Accepted Answer

The description given in the question matches the characteristics of a blob, which is a part of the primary visual cortex and contains a peg-like array of dual-opponent color cells that are rich in cytochrome oxidase.

Question 17

In his compelling demonstrations of color constancy,Land showed that a particular area of a Mondrian stayed the same color even though there were major changes in the wavelengths that it was reflecting,provided that the Mondrian was
A) illuminated.
B) illuminated by at least one wavelength.
C) illuminated by at least a low and a high wavelength.
D) illuminated by at least a low, a medium, and a high wavelength.
E) monochromatic.

Accepted Answer

Land showed that for color constancy to occur, the visual system needs to compare the relative activity of three different types of cones (long, medium, and short wavelength-sensitive). Therefore, to maintain color constancy in a Mondrian, it would need to be illuminated with at least a low, a medium, and a high wavelength. Option D is the only choice that fits this requirement.

Question 18

Posterior parietal cortex is considered to be association cortex because it receives substantial sensory input from the
A) primary visual cortex.
B) thalamus.
C) secondary areas of more than one sensory system.
D) primary motor cortex.
E) hypothalamus.

Accepted Answer

Posterior parietal cortex receives sensory input from secondary areas of more than one sensory system, allowing for integration and association of sensory information.

Question 19

Dual-opponent color cells
A) are found in blobs.
B) respond best when the center of their receptive field is fully illuminated with one wavelength while the periphery is fully illuminated with another.
C) have particularly high concentrations of cytochrome oxidase.
D) all of the above
E) both A and B

Accepted Answer

Dual-opponent color cells are indeed found in blobs, respond best to specific configurations of wavelengths in their receptive fields, and have high concentrations of cytochrome oxidase, making all the given options correct.

Question 20

Prestriate cortex and inferotemporal cortex are considered to be areas of
A) primary visual cortex.
B) association cortex.
C) the parietal lobe.
D) secondary visual cortex.
E) the occipital lobe.

Accepted Answer

The prestriate cortex and inferotemporal cortex are part of the secondary visual cortex, which processes visual information beyond the primary visual cortex.

Quiz 6: The Visual System

Pairs of colors that produce white or gray when combined in equal measure are

According to the retinex theory,the color of an object depends on

The trichromatic theory of color vision is

The main function of color constancy is to ensure that

The component theory and the opponent theory are theories of

The opponent theory appears to provide the best explanation of color coding at the

Posterior parietal cortex is considered to be

Which of the following pairs of colors is complementary?

The existence of complementary color afterimages supports

The phenomenon of color constancy makes the point that

According to Land's retinex theory,an object's color depends on

Color perception would be of less survival value if the color of an object

Evidence indicates that the component theory provides the best explanation of color coding at the

Recent studies of the function of primary visual cortex neurons using natural visual scenes rather than simple artificial stimuli have discovered that

Somehow the visual system compares the wavelengths of light reflected by adjacent areas of a visual display,and on this basis color is perceived.The cells that appear to perform this function are

A peg-like,cytochrome-oxidase-rich column of dual-opponent color cells is called

In his compelling demonstrations of color constancy,Land showed that a particular area of a Mondrian stayed the same color even though there were major changes in the wavelengths that it was reflecting,provided that the Mondrian was

Posterior parietal cortex is considered to be association cortex because it receives substantial sensory input from the

Dual-opponent color cells

Prestriate cortex and inferotemporal cortex are considered to be areas of