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rhodopsin

noun
rho·​dop·​sin | \ rō-ˈdäp-sən How to pronounce rhodopsin (audio) \

Definition of rhodopsin

: a red photosensitive pigment in the retinal rods of the eye of most vertebrates that is important in vision in dim light

— called also visual purple

Examples of rhodopsin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Some use chlorophyll to convert sunlight during photosynthesis and others use rhodopsins, proteins that bind to a form of vitamin A called retina to capture light. — Shandria Sutton, Science | AAAS, "New ‘light-eating’ protein discovered in the Sea of Galilee," 5 July 2018

First Known Use of rhodopsin

1878, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for rhodopsin

International Scientific Vocabulary rhod- + Greek opsis sight, vision + International Scientific Vocabulary -in entry 1 — more at optic

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More Definitions for rhodopsin

rhodopsin

noun
rho·​dop·​sin | \ rō-ˈdäp-sən How to pronounce rhodopsin (audio) \

Medical Definition of rhodopsin

: a red photosensitive pigment in the retinal rods of marine fishes and most higher vertebrates that is important in vision in dim light, is quickly bleached by light to a mixture of opsin and retinal, and is regenerated in the dark

— called also visual purple

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