Biology Notes
9.5.2.4 Use available evidence to suggest reasons for the differences in the range of electromagnetic radiation detected by humans and other animals:
Reasons for differences in detection between humans and other animals:
The differences between human detection range and other animals detection range relates to their environment in which they live in and their way of life. The detection out of the visible spectrum is usually an adaptation for survival of the organism.
Humans
detection range of 380-750 nm (visible light)
can only detect a narrow part of the electromagnetic spectrum , visible light. To some extent we can detected a small amount of infra red by the heating action. We detect the visible light spectrum by the special cells located on the retina in our eye. Humans have coloured binocular vision.
reasons for this: active mainly during the day colour vision is important to distinguish information about the environment- food sources, interpersonal relationships etc
Other animals:
Vertebrates:
* Pit viper : detection range of 400-850 nm (visible light and into infra red)
reasons for this – uses visible light when not in burrow, when basking in sun - relies on infra red due to habitat in dark burrow - also relies on IR due to hunting prey * Hummingbird:
Visible spectrum detection range the same as humans (380 – 750 nm)
Reasons for this – detection of food sources. Good visible sight allows the hummingbird to detect flowers from up to a km away
Invertebrates:
* Honey bee: detection range both in ultraviolet and visible spectrum
reasons for this – visible spectrum due to find flowers and pollen visually - uses UV to detect ultraviolet markings on flowers, and uses polarised light for navigation
* Mantis shrimp: detection range in
Reasons for differences in detection between humans and other animals:
The differences between human detection range and other animals detection range relates to their environment in which they live in and their way of life. The detection out of the visible spectrum is usually an adaptation for survival of the organism.
Humans
detection range of 380-750 nm (visible light)
can only detect a narrow part of the electromagnetic spectrum , visible light. To some extent we can detected a small amount of infra red by the heating action. We detect the visible light spectrum by the special cells located on the retina in our eye. Humans have coloured binocular vision.
reasons for this: active mainly during the day colour vision is important to distinguish information about the environment- food sources, interpersonal relationships etc
Other animals:
Vertebrates:
* Pit viper : detection range of 400-850 nm (visible light and into infra red)
reasons for this – uses visible light when not in burrow, when basking in sun - relies on infra red due to habitat in dark burrow - also relies on IR due to hunting prey * Hummingbird:
Visible spectrum detection range the same as humans (380 – 750 nm)
Reasons for this – detection of food sources. Good visible sight allows the hummingbird to detect flowers from up to a km away
Invertebrates:
* Honey bee: detection range both in ultraviolet and visible spectrum
reasons for this – visible spectrum due to find flowers and pollen visually - uses UV to detect ultraviolet markings on flowers, and uses polarised light for navigation
* Mantis shrimp: detection range in