Retinal
Retinal
Retinal (pronounced: /ˈrɛtɪnəl/), also known as retinaldehyde, is a form of vitamin A that is essential for vision. It is one of the many forms of vitamin A and is a key component of the visual cycle. The term "retinal" is derived from the Latin word "retina", which means "net", referring to the layer of light-sensitive cells in the back of the eye.
Etymology
The term "retinal" is derived from the Latin word "retina", which means "net". This is in reference to the retinal layer of the eye, where this compound plays a crucial role in the conversion of light into visual signals.
Function
Retinal is a crucial component of the visual cycle, which is the process by which light is converted into electrical signals in the rod cells, cone cells, and photosensitive ganglion cells of the retina of the eye. Retinal works by binding to a protein called opsin to form rhodopsin, a light-sensitive molecule that is essential for vision.
Related Terms
- Vitamin A: A group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds that includes retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and several provitamin A carotenoids.
- Visual Cycle: The biological process that allows for the conversion of light into electrical signals in the rod cells, cone cells, and photosensitive ganglion cells of the retina of the eye.
- Opsin: A protein found in the photoreceptor cells of the retina that combines with retinal to form rhodopsin.
- Rhodopsin: A light-sensitive receptor protein involved in visual phototransduction. It is named after the ancient Greek words "rhodon" for "rose", due to its pinkish color, and "opsis" for "sight".
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Retinal
- Wikipedia's article - Retinal
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