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

In the outer part of the rods the visual purple or rhodopsin is found.

From Project Gutenberg