Photoisomerization

Definition

Photoisomerization is a process where the structure of a molecule changes upon absorbing light. In the context of sensory perception, it plays a crucial role in vision by enabling the conversion of light into electrical signals in the retina.

Related terms

Rhodopsin:

A light-sensitive receptor protein involved in visual phototransduction.

Retina:

The layer at the back of the eyeball containing cells sensitive to light that trigger nerve impulses that pass via the optic nerve to the brain.

Photoreceptor cells: Specialized neurons in the retina that are capable of phototransduction, converting light into electrical signals