rhodopsin

noun

rho·dop·sin | \rō-ˈdäp-sən

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

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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

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rhodopsin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of rhodopsin was in 1878

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rhodopsin

noun

rho·dop·sin | \rō-ˈdäp-sən

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