Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Retinal is a light-absorbing molecule found in the photoreceptor cells of the retina, essential for vision. It changes shape when exposed to light, initiating a series of reactions that result in a nerve impulse being sent to the brain.
Photoreceptor cells: Specialized neurons in the retina that convert light into electrical signals which are then interpreted by the brain as visual images.
Optic nerve: The nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain for interpretation.
Visual cortex: The part of the cerebral cortex responsible for processing visual information received from the eyes through the optic nerves