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About Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Expertise
I can answer biology-related questions in the areas of evolution, zoology, botany, genetics, and ecology. But I don't answer homework questions or provide ideas for your science fair projects. So students please do your learning the right way by reading your text assignments and studying!

Experience
At the University of Miami, I teach Evolution and Biodiversity, Botany, Zoology, Genetics, Ecology, and a variety of seminars (e.g., the Biology and Evolution of Human Gender Roles).

Education/Credentials
I have a B.S. in Biology and an A.B. in English from the University of Southern California (1980). I earned my Ph.D. in Biology in the area of evolutionary biology/visual physiology from the University of Miami in 1989.

Past/Present Clients
I am currently an "expert" in both the "Rabbits" and "Wild Animals" categories.

You are here: Experts > Science > Biology > Biology > Bee vision colour yellow

Biology - Bee vision colour yellow

Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 10/21/2009

Question
Dear Expert

I have read that bees can see blue and ultraviolet but not red, which probably appears as black to them.

I have observed that bees are often attracted to yellow flowers.

How do scientists think bees see yellow?

Answer
Dear Margaret,

Because color is a psychophysical phenomenon, we cannot really predict how bees perceive what we call "yellow." It may be perceived as something completely unlike the sensation we know as "yellow" but because we cannot get into their little bee brains to find out, we will never know.

Interestingly enough, there is also no way to know whether each human sees color exactly the same way. It's not unlikely that there is variation, as the opsin portions of our photoreceptor pigments differ with our genes. But because the sensation of color is something that is created in the brain and experienced as both a psychological and physical phenomenon, there is no way to compare between individals. We're alive alone. Just like the bees.

Hope that helps.

Dana

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