iodopsin

[ ahy-uh-dop-sin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a photosensitive violet pigment that occurs in the cones of the retina and is transformed by light into retinal and an opsin protein.

iodopsin

/ ˌaɪəˈdɒpsɪn /

noun

1. a violet light-sensitive pigment in the cones of the retina of the eye that is responsible for colour vision Also calledvisual violet See also rhodopsin

Word History and Origins

Origin of iodopsin¹

1935–40; < Greek īṓd ( ēs ) taken as derivative of íon violet ( iodine ) + opsin, on the pattern of rhodopsin