Rhodopsin

Definition

Rhodopsin is a light-sensitive receptor protein located in the rod cells of the retina, crucial for low-light (scotopic) vision. It changes shape when exposed to light, initiating a biochemical cascade that results in a nerve impulse sent to the brain.

Related terms

Retina: The thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye that contains cells sensitive to light, where phototransduction (conversion of light into electrical signals) occurs.

Rod Cells: A type of photoreceptor cell in the retina that is highly sensitive to light and enables vision in low-light conditions.

Phototransduction: The process by which photoreceptor cells convert light into electrical signals, which are then processed by the brain as visual information