Photopsin
Photopsin
Photopsin (pronounced: /foʊˈtɒpsɪn/) is a type of opsin, a light-sensitive protein found in the retina of the eye. Photopsins are specifically located in the cone cells, which are responsible for color vision.
Etymology
The term "photopsin" is derived from the Greek words "phōs" (light) and "opsis" (sight). It refers to the protein's role in converting light into a form that can be interpreted by the brain to create visual images.
Function
Photopsins are integral to the process of phototransduction, the conversion of light into electrical signals in the retina. When light hits a photopsin molecule, it changes shape and triggers a series of biochemical reactions that result in an electrical signal being sent to the brain.
There are three types of photopsins, each sensitive to a different range of light wavelengths. These are known as short-wavelength sensitive (S), medium-wavelength sensitive (M), and long-wavelength sensitive (L) opsins. They correspond to the three primary colors of light: blue, green, and red, respectively.
Related Terms
- Opsin: A family of proteins that function as light-sensitive components of the visual system.
- Cone cells: A type of photoreceptor in the retina that is responsible for color vision.
- Phototransduction: The process by which light is converted into electrical signals in the retina.
- Retina: The light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Photopsin
- Wikipedia's article - Photopsin
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski