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Quizzes > Science

Tetrachromacy Test: Can You Spot the Hidden Hues?

Quick, free tetrachromat test-spot subtle hues and get instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Renee FlowersUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for online tetrachromacy test on a coral background

This tetrachromacy test helps you check how finely you can distinguish near-identical shades and spot the odd color out. You'll get instant feedback as you go, then see your result at the end; if you want to sharpen your eye and explore more color skills, try the color wheel test, discover your palette with the what color am i quiz, or dive into the free color personality test.

Tetrachromacy in humans is most commonly associated with X-linked variations affecting which cone opsin genes?
Rod rhodopsin gene
L and M opsin genes
All three cone opsin genes equally
S opsin gene only
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Under which lighting condition would illuminant metamerism be most likely to reveal differences a tetrachromat could notice?
Switching between daylight (D65) and a narrow-band LED
Viewing in complete darkness
Using only diffuse skylight at noon
Keeping the same halogen lamp throughout
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Which device limitation can hide subtle hue differences that even a tetrachromat could detect in the real world?
High pixel density over 300 ppi
Screen refresh rate exceeding 120 Hz
Display color gamut and bit depth constraints
Use of an anti-glare coating
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Ishihara plates are primarily designed to detect which condition, not tetrachromacy?
Red-green color vision deficiencies
Blue-yellow deficiencies
Contrast sensitivity loss
Glare disability
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Which lighting property most improves color rendering for subtle hue discrimination tasks?
High color rendering index (CRI) with broad spectrum
Monochromatic sodium lighting
Low CRI with spiky spectrum
Strobing illumination at 10 Hz
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In Munsell notation, which attribute directly corresponds to the perceived color family (e.g., red, yellow, green)?
Luminance contrast
Value
Chroma
Hue
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Which of the following best defines metamerism?
The variation of brightness with viewing angle
The shift in hue with increasing saturation
Different spectral power distributions that produce the same color match for a given observer
The loss of color sensitivity in low light
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Which additional cone sensitivity is most often hypothesized in human tetrachromats compared to typical trichromats?
A second L-like cone with a slightly shifted peak sensitivity
A duplicate S-cone producing more blue sensitivity but no new channel
An extra rod photoreceptor with peak at 507 nm
A UV-sensitive cone identical to that of many birds
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Which test is specifically designed to assess fine red-green discrimination that tetrachromats might outperform, even if they are not color-blind?
Pelli-Robson test
Weber contrast threshold chart
Anomaloscope (Rayleigh match)
Snellen chart
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In the CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram, where do real surface colors lie relative to the spectral locus?
On the spectral locus line only
Exactly on the line connecting 520 nm and 580 nm only
Outside the spectral locus into imaginary colors
Inside the spectral locus boundary
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A potential signature of tetrachromacy is enhanced discrimination between two colors that are metamers for trichromats. Which scenario best captures this?
Two grayscale patches differ in luminance under any light
Two paint samples match under D65 but not under a phosphor LED to a tetrachromat
Two saturated lasers at same wavelength appear different to everyone
A black patch appears colored in darkness
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A human with an extra M-like cone variant separated by about 5 to 10 nm from the standard M cone would most likely gain which ability?
Ability to see polarized light patterns directly
Night vision comparable to nocturnal animals
Finer discrimination among yellow-green hues
Extended vision into ultraviolet wavelengths
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Which color space is approximately perceptually uniform and useful for measuring small color differences (Delta E) that tetrachromats might outperform?
CIE L*a*b*
CMYK
RGB
HSV
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A monitor limited to sRGB cannot display all printable colors. Which color region is most often outside sRGB but inside Adobe RGB?
Magenta-violet region
Cyan-green region
Neutrals along the gray axis
Yellow-orange region
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True tetrachromacy implies four independent chromatic channels. In standard opponent-process theory, which pairings are expanded by an extra cone?
It replaces red-green with two red-magenta channels
It adds a new dimension beyond red-green and blue-yellow opponency
It removes luminance and keeps only three color channels
It duplicates the blue-yellow channel for greater brightness
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A just noticeable difference (JND) in hue under controlled viewing is closest to which angular step in a circular hue space for typical observers?
About 0.01 degrees uniformly
About 15 degrees globally
About 45 degrees near all hues
About 1 to 2 degrees depending on region
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MacAdam ellipses on the CIE diagram illustrate what property that tetrachromats might have smaller in some regions?
Spectral purity thresholds for luminance
Equal-energy white points
Gamut boundaries of sRGB displays
Just noticeable difference contours in chromaticity
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Which phenomenon describes hue shifts with changes in luminance, potentially revealing finer distinctions to a tetrachromat?
Purkinje shift
Brucke-Bartley effect
Bezold-Brucke effect
Troxler fading
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In subtractive mixing (paints) within the CMY/RGB complementary framework, which option pairs cyan specifically with its additive complement, ideally yielding a neutral when well-formulated?
Cyan and red
Green and magenta
Yellow and blue
Blue and red
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Which experiment type directly probes fine spectral tuning differences in cones, potentially indicating tetrachromacy?
Heterochromatic flicker photometry
Visual acuity line testing
Motion coherence thresholds
Stereo disparity detection
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Study Outcomes

  1. Distinguish extended color spectrum -

    Learn to spot subtle hue differences beyond standard trichromatic vision by engaging with our tetrachromacy test challenges.

  2. Assess your tetrachromatic vision capabilities -

    Evaluate whether you possess an extra cone cell that enables you to perceive additional wavelengths of light.

  3. Recognize hidden hues invisible to trichromats -

    Train your eye to detect color variations that most people miss, sharpening your overall color discrimination skills.

  4. Interpret personalized tetrachromacy test results -

    Understand what your quiz outcomes reveal about your color vision and how close you are to true tetrachromacy.

  5. Apply insights to real-world color tasks -

    Discover how enhanced color perception can improve activities like design, art, and everyday decision-making.

  6. Compare your performance with global benchmarks -

    See how your score stacks up against other participants and explore patterns in tetrachromatic vision research.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Photoreceptor Fundamentals -

    Your ability to detect color hinges on cones tuned to different wavelengths (S-blue ≈420 nm, M-green ≈530 nm, L-red ≈560 nm), and a potential fourth cone around 610 nm could unlock tetrachromacy (Khudyakov et al., 2019). Remember "RGB + X" as a mnemonic to recall the standard three plus the extra cone. Familiarity with these peak sensitivities is key before you dive into any tetrachromacy test.

  2. Genetic Basis of Tetrachromacy -

    Most tetrachromat candidates inherit opsin gene variants on the X-chromosome, giving females a chance at four distinct cone pigments (Jordan et al., 2010). A quick memory trick: "X marks the spot" for extra color genes. Reviewing these genetic factors helps you interpret results on a tetrachromat test.

  3. Color Difference and ΔE*ab Formula -

    In CIELAB space, color separation is calculated via ΔE*ab = √((ΔL*)² + (Δa*)² + (Δb*)²); lower ΔE thresholds are vital for spotting hues in a tetrachromatic test (Fairchild, 2013). Think "Delta Equation" to anchor the formula in your mind. Practicing with known ΔE values trains your eye for subtle hue shifts.

  4. Just Noticeable Difference (JND) -

    JND, often 1 ΔE unit in good lighting, sets the psychophysical limit for hue discrimination (Pelli & Bex, 2013). Use the phrase "One JND, One Jump" to recall that a single unit is the minimal perceivable jump. In a test for tetrachromatic vision, detecting sub-JND differences suggests an extra cone at work.

  5. Specialized Testing Protocols -

    Beyond Ishihara plates, dedicated tetrachromatic tests use calibrated color arrays and controlled lighting to measure hue gradients (Jordan & Mollon, 2003). Remember "Calibrate, Compare, Confirm" as a three-step guide. Knowing these protocols ensures you get reliable feedback about your tetrachromacy potential.

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