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op·sin | \ ˈäp-sən 
\
\Definition of opsin
: any of various colorless proteins that in combination with retinal or a related prosthetic group form a visual pigment (such as rhodopsin) in a reaction reversible by light
Examples of opsin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web Researchers still need to demonstrate that a virus can safely and reliably endow particular neurons with an opsin gene that sticks around for years.
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Kelly Servick, Science | AAAS, "New technologies promise sharper artificial vision for blind people," 31 Oct. 2019 To better understand the mechanics behind the species’ chameleon-esque appearance, Eacock, then a graduate student in Saccheri’s lab, tested caterpillars’ eyes and skin for light-sensitive proteins known as opsins.
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Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "These Caterpillars Can Detect Color Using Their Skin Not Their Eyes," 27 Aug. 2019 Notably, silver spinyfin fish (Diretmus argenteus) turned out to have 38 rod opsin genes.
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David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Some Fish Can See in Color at 5,000 Feet Below Sea Level," 10 May 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'opsin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for opsin
opsin
nounop·sin | \ ˈäp-sən \
\Medical Definition of opsin
: any of various colorless proteins that in combination with retinal or a related prosthetic group form a visual pigment (as rhodopsin) in a reaction which is reversed by light
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Time Traveler for opsin
The first known use of opsin was in 1951
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