rhodopsin

[ roh-dop-sin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a bright-red photosensitive pigment found in the rod-shaped cells of the retina of certain fishes and most higher vertebrates: it is broken down by the action of dim light into retinal and opsin.

rhodopsin

/ rəʊˈdɒpsɪn /

noun

1. a red pigment in the rods of the retina in vertebrates. It is dissociated by light into retinene, the light energy being converted into nerve signals, and is re-formed in the dark Also calledvisual purple See also iodopsin

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhodopsin¹

1885–90; rhod- + Greek óps ( is ) sight, vision + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhodopsin¹

C20: from rhodo- + -opsis + -in

Example Sentences

Contrasting the observed unusual electrical activity, the spontaneous isomerization of G90D rhodopsin demonstrated a high amplitude but low frequency.

From Science Daily

These include the rhodopsin molecules in the retina of the eye, which play a crucial role in converting light into the electrical signals that create our sense of vision in the brain.

From Science Daily

This can happen with all kinds of genetic information and is particularly common with rhodopsin proteins.

From Science Daily

Because mitochondria can make ATP efficiently, adding rhodopsin could provide a lot of energy directly from the Sun, just as photosynthesis does.

From Science Magazine

They pinpointed two spots—site 94 and 178 on the sharks’ DNA—where there were mutations that altered the amino acid composition of the rhodopsin protein.

From Science Magazine