Photoreceptor cells
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Photoreceptor Cells
Photoreceptor cells (/ˌfoʊtoʊrɪˈsɛptər ˈsɛlz/), are specialized types of neurons found in the retina of the eye that are capable of photo transduction. The term "photoreceptor" derives from the Greek words "photos" meaning light and "receptor" meaning receiver.
Types of Photoreceptor Cells
There are two major types of photoreceptor cells in the human eye: rod cells and cone cells.
- Rod cells are responsible for vision at low light levels (scotopic vision). They do not mediate color vision, and have a low spatial acuity.
- Cone cells are active at higher light levels (photopic vision), are capable of color vision and are responsible for high spatial acuity.
Function
Photoreceptor cells capture and process light information, converting it into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain via the optic nerve. This process is known as phototransduction.
Related Terms
- Rhodopsin: A light-sensitive receptor protein involved in visual phototransduction.
- Retinal: A form of vitamin A that functions as a photoreceptor in the retina.
- Photopsin: A type of photoreceptor in the cone cells of the retina that are responsible for color vision.
See Also
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