colour vision

The reason the eye can detect colours is because of three chemicals found in the cone cells in the retina. Each cone contains one of the three different chemicals and detects one of the three different primary colours, red, blue or green. The brain then interprets these signals and we see in full colour. Colour vision is hereditary and more common in males than females and can be an important factor in career choices e.g. emergency services, armed forces, electricians etc.