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Nature & Colours

Writer's picture: Diveja KanakarajDiveja Kanakaraj

How does Nature produce Colours? Some of the most common molecules in nature are carotenoids, chlorophyll, and anthocyanin, which are known collectively as pigments due to their color-producing properties and are responsible for various shades of orange, green, and purple. Eg- 1-Proteins made by Discosoma mushroom anemones produce color by using the sun’s energy to generate specific wavelengths of light.

 2- Chitin Layers Produce Gold and Silver Colors | scarab beetles The forewings of jewel scarabs produce gold and silver by having 70 layers of chitin that become progressively thinner with depth resulting in different refractive indices. 3-Wings of morpho butterflies create color by causing light waves to diffract and interfere. Why does nature produce colours? Some use colors to attract prey. To communicate. Some animals’ colorful exteriors let other animals know that they’re poisonous. But sometimes they’re pretending — their bright colors fool predators into thinking they’re poisonous, even if they’re not.Birds on the contrary use colours and patterns to attract mates. Theres a change in certain body parts of animals and birds for the same reason. Colour here acts as an indicator of a dominating creature ( in a group of monkeys one money would have bright coloured genitals indicating his dominance) for birds its when they are biologically ready to mate.



Humans have long admired nature’s creations and attempted to replicate them via technology. A camera, for example, is extremely similar to eyes in that it can zoom in, observe a greater area, and also focus or blur as necessary. Similarly, the modeling approach of “form follows function” is likely to have its origins in nature. The instances of how each colour is used for a purpose other than beauty.

Microorganisms have a tremendous potential for producing unique and captivating aesthetic features, such as the ability to emit bioluminescence and fluorescence, generate magnetosomes, manufacture bioactive metabolites, and various hues for scientific succulence. Microbial communities have a significant integrated role in the biosphere, either directly or indirectly, through controlling biogeochemical and ecological processes. Regardless of their position in the ecosystem, they provide various advantages to humans. One such benefit is pigment generation by several microorganisms,Colors are produced by microorganisms as well. The relevance of which has recently been noted, and there are still many untapped sources to probe many undiscovered coloured compounds. These colours are pigments with a chemical structure that aids in their defence against other species. Ideally, these colours are used for self- defense and protection rather than for beauty or decoration. Microbial pigments have been highlighted in a variety of applications, including cosmetics, food, medicines, and textiles, and these substances are also well-known to have cytotoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antimalarial, anticancer, antitumor, and antifouling properties.

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