3 of the World's Most Intensely Colored Living Things

The video explores the concept of intense colors in nature, focusing on structural coloration rather than pigments. It highlights three examples: the marbleberry, known for its vibrant blue due to cellulose microfibers; the Kypochylus beetle, which achieves extreme whiteness through light scattering; and the birds of paradise, whose feathers absorb almost all light to create a super black appearance. These examples illustrate how structural features, rather than pigments, can produce some of the most vivid colors in nature.

What primarily determines the color we perceive in most living things?

• The distance from the observer

• The temperature of the environment

• The pigments present in the object

• The size of the object

How do marbleberries achieve their intense blue color?

• Through chemical reactions with the environment

• Through a high concentration of blue pigments

• By reflecting light through unique structures

• By absorbing all other colors

What is the primary reason for the intense whiteness of the kypochylus beetle?

• Its diet of white fungi

• The dense packing of tiny filaments in its scales

• The presence of white pigments

• Its habitat in bright environments

What is a notable feature of the artificial white substance inspired by the kypochylus beetle?

• It is 20 to 30 times more white than normal filter paper

• It changes color under different lights

• It is thicker than human hair

• It is made from natural materials

What structural feature allows birds of paradise to have the blackest black feathers?

• Flat and thin barbules

• Reflective surfaces on the feathers

• A high concentration of black pigments

• Curved and dense barbules with tiny spikes

Why do birds of paradise have such dark feathers?

• To absorb more heat

• To highlight the colors of their plumage during courtship

• To blend in with their environment

• To hide from predators

What is the main advantage of structural colors over pigment-based colors in nature?

• They are more intense and vibrant

• They are more common in nature

• They are easier to produce

• They are less affected by environmental changes